English

English

‘English’ at all ages and levels at school contains many elements – learning the language and understanding how it is made up, developing skills at using the language, reading its rich literature, learning to read factual communications, writing personal works of fact and/or fiction, and learning to revel in this understanding and usage.

At GCSE and GCE A level the courses usually offer a skills based approach, allowing students to explore a range of literary and, in some courses, language topics. All of them rely mainly on ‘set books’ chosen from a list set out by the examination board

Teachers of English usually try to capture students’ interest in language and literature by attending plays and participating in conferences and debates. A number of educational visit companies offer such opportunities. And visits to localities featured in famous books and to authors’ and poets’ homes can inspire even the most reluctant student.

 

Main organisations:

National Association for the Teaching of English

Inclusion: NASEN

 

Thought of visiting?

The British Library

Birmingham Library

The Tolkien Trails (Birmingham and Lancashire)

Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, Bucks

Dr Johnson’s Museum and Library, Lichfield

Shakespeare’s Globe

Jane Austen’s House and Museum

Dickens World, Chatham

Bronte Parsonage, Haworth

Classworks Theatre, Cambridge

Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond

The New Vic, Stoke-on-Trent

English Touring Opera

 

Articles on English, Education and Trips on SchoolTripsAdvisor

The Literary Map of London is both a snapshot of London’s literary history and beautiful in its own right. Find out more HERE.

 

For a complete list of venues and providers who deliver specialist courses and activities for this subject see below:

Carlyle's House

Victorian writers' shrine in Chelsea
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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Hidden in the quiet back streets of Chelsea is the home of Thomas and Jane Carlyle.

A twist of fate turned Carlyle into a star of the 19th-century literary world. Suddenly this was the place to be.                                                      

When you pull the bell to enter you will follow in the footsteps of Dickens, Ruskin, Tennyson and many more.

William Makepeace Thackeray said: 'Tom Carlyle lives in perfect dignity in a house in Chelsea with a snuffy Scotch maid to open the door and best company in England ringing at it!'

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Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Venue Type: 
Theatres, Music and Performing Arts Venues
Overall Rating: 
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The REP’s mission has always been to produce excellent theatrical experiences, to entertain, enlighten and engage audiences and, wherever possible, to reflect the diversity of Birmingham and the surrounding region. This supports our vision, which is to ‘Inspire the city of Birmingham to a lifelong love of theatre’

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Nash's House and New Place

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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Visit Nash's House and the site of Shakespeare's last home at New Place, where he died in 1616.

Nash's House was named after Thomas Nash, first husband of Shakespeare's granddaughter, Elizabeth. Today, it is a well preserved Tudor building, with the ground floor furnished as it would have been in Nash's day and with two fascinating exhibitions upstairs. Learn about archaeological finds from the site and choose your favourite character in our top 10 heroes and villains exhibition.

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Thomas Hardy's Birthplace

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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Explore the landscape and childhood home of famed local author Thomas Hardy.

Set in the heart of Hardy Country, the new visitor centre was opened in September 2014 as a gateway for local people and visitors alike to discover more about the life and works of Thomas Hardy and the local landscape. It is located on the edge of Thorncombe Wood and is a short walk from Hardy's Cottage, where he was born and lived until he was 34 years old.

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Thomas Hardy's Cottage

Evocative cob and thatch cottage - birthplace of Thomas Hardy
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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Few authors have such strong associations with the natural and cultural heritage of their local area as Thomas Hardy. This cottage, where Hardy was born in 1840, was built of cob and thatch by his grandfather and has been little altered since the family left.

Despite training as an architect, writing was Hardy's first love, and it was from here that he wrote several of his early short stories, poetry and novels including 'Under the Greenwood Tree' and 'Far from the Madding Crowd'.

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Tudor World (Falstaff Experience)

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
0

This award winning museum is situated right in the heart of the historic town of Stratford upon Avon within a Grade 2* listed historic building.

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Bodleian Library

Venue Type: 
Libraries / Archives
Overall Rating: 
0

Interactive and stimulating tours of the historic university where much of Harry Potter was filmed! Like stepping into their favourite films. Most tours are for 10+ but Family Tours in holidays welcome 5+.

See the oldest parts of the University, learn about their history, and see where Harry Potter was filmed! A must see in Oxford with children. The tour is interactive and stimulating, with lots of participation, if you get a chance to do it you absolutely should! 

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Jane Austen’s House and Museum

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

Jane Austen is one of the most popular and important novelists that England has ever produced. The house at Chawton is where she spent the last eight years of her life. It is of international importance as the place where she did the majority of her mature writing, but at the same time retains the charm of a village home. A 17th century house, it tells the story of Jane Austen and her family.

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Kingswood Staffordshire

The original purpose built Kingswood centre overlooks the picturesque beauty of the Wrekin and Clee Hills
Venue Type: 
Outdoor Activity
Overall Rating: 
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An exciting venue for outdoor adventure and learning in a picturesque and easily accessible location, Staffordshire provides a welcoming and friendly environment

Our original Kingswood centre, where guests instantly feel at home

Particularly suited for younger students where all activities are close to the main buildings

Wide range of adventure activities available, from team building challenges and indoor initiatives, to high adrenaline experiences in the outdoor adventure apparatus

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Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)

Venue Type: 
Theatres, Music and Performing Arts Venues
Overall Rating: 
0

Working with teachers to inspire a life-long love of Shakespeare in young people.

The Royal Shakespeare Company is one of the greatest theatre companies in the world. Based in Stratford-upon-Avon, but with shows running around the world, not only are we keeping William Shakespeare's works alive and very relevant to the modern world through its own performances, but our Education Department also works tirelessly to engage with students of all ages on a wide range of projects.

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