katerifflerNov 1, 20195 minThe Pursuit of Politics - A Necessary RiseThere are essential reasons why young people should - perhaps, must - become more involved in the politics of the world around them.
katerifflerAug 1, 20196 min10 books and activities for your 11+ student to read and do over the summer! 1: Philip Pullman: His Dark Materials An essential piece of reading for both children and adults, and if you haven’t already at least heard of this classic, ...
katerifflerMar 29, 20196 minTurn Off, Tune Out, Drop OffAn open letter to my students To begin at the beginning: It is Spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black, the cobblestreets silent a...
katerifflerMar 7, 20195 minLiterary Landscapes: Dartmoor Miles into gathering mists the sun set, soaking into the distant blue hills. Sunset loomed, orange, then violet, then a clouded darkness as we drove slowly ...
katerifflerJan 11, 20192 minSoapstone TechniqueOver the last few weeks I have been introducing my GCSE and A-Level students to a technique more often used in the IB or AP exams. But what is SOAPSTone tec...
katerifflerJan 7, 20191 minBack to School! Spring Term 2019 Begins I just want to wish all my students a wonderful first day back at school after the Christmas holidays. Starting school again after a...
katerifflerOct 31, 20185 minLady Macbeth Notes Lady Macbeth first appears when she reads the letter Macbeth sends ahead in the first Act, telling her of the witches’ prophecies and of Duncan’s imminent ar...
katerifflerOct 31, 20182 minShakespearean Glossary As part of my Halloween specials, I’m creating a resource for all my Shakespeare students who are bewitched, bothered and bewildered by the Bard’s tricky use...
katerifflerOct 22, 20182 minGothic Contexts For the year’s on the turn and it’s All Souls’ night, When the dead can burn and the dead can smite. --Edith Wharton, All Souls (1909) Happy Halloween everyo...
katerifflerOct 17, 20185 minStabat Mater Notes Context This is an autobiographical poem about family relationships. It seems that Hunt’s mother is much younger than his father, and so whilst initially in...
katerifflerOct 12, 20182 minEntrance Exam TipsHow to make them pick you! Entrance Exam Top Tips It's what you haven't seen that counts. Most of my students shudder whenever the topic of an 'Unseen R...
katerifflerOct 10, 20182 minJane Eyre Porridge - Good for the Immortal Soul“Oh madam, when you put bread and cheese, instead of burnt porridge, into these children's mouths, you may indeed feed their vile bodies, but you little thin...
katerifflerSep 10, 20184 minSo who was Macbeth anyway? Who was Shakespeare? William Shakespeare was born in 1564, and is one of the most famous playwrights in all of English Literature. Growing up, he belonged to...