Secondary Catalogue

The period following World War I was an era of widespread prosperity in the United States. Long Island, New York, became the playground of the privileged, exemplifying the excesses of the Jazz Age. This video investigates how the concept of the American Dream inspired and influenced F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

By the mid-20th century, New Orleans had gone from a city modernised by the Jazz Age to a hub of poverty and crime. While middle-class Americans thrived, poor and marginalised segments of the population continued to struggle. This video explores how the idea of the American Dream inspired and influenced Tennessee Williams’ play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

The economic prosperity that swept the United States post-World War II changed lifestyles and attitudes greatly. The tragic murder of the Clutters, the epitome of the ideal American family, showed how the American Dream could go terribly wrong. This video delves into how the notion of the American Dream influenced Truman Capote’s ‘In Cold Blood’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this film. Show Less

By the 1940s, the travelling salesman had become a familiar part of American life and Americans were relishing their newfound economic prosperity. But beneath the country’s mask of economic contentment, many fears and anxieties continued to fester. This video looks at how the idea of the American Dream inspired and influenced Arthur Miller’s play ‘Death of a Salesman’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this film. Show Less

Like all works of literature, ‘Macbeth’ is a reflection of the time in which it was written. This video discusses the historical context of the play, including the ascension of James I, the Globe Theatre and how audiences would have responded to the opening scenes. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

A central component of the ‘Scottish Play’ is the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This video explores the shifting nature of their relationship across four key scenes: Act 1, Scene 5; Act 2, Scene 2; Act 2, Scene 3 and Act 3, Scene 2. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

Students will discover what a simile is and the impacts of this figurative language device on poetry using the poem ‘My Golden Butterfly’ by Year 6 student Bella. They will also learn why the device is used in poetry and be invited to experiment with the device themselves using an object. Show Less

A central component of the ‘Scottish Play’ is the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This video explores the nature and deterioration of their relationship in two key scenes: Act 3, Scene 4 and Act 5, Scene 5. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

Students will discover what personification is and the impacts of this figurative language device on poetry using the poem ‘Moon’ by Year 8 student Izzy. They will also learn why the device is used in poetry and be invited to experiment with the device themselves using an object. Show Less

Students will discover what onomatopoeia is and the impacts of this figurative language device on poetry using the poem ‘The Longings of a Timeworn Guitar’ by Year 9 student Gabrielle. They will also learn why the device is used in poetry and be invited to experiment with the device themselves using an object. Show Less

Students will discover what a metaphor is and the impacts of this figurative language device on poetry using the poem ‘Adrift In Space’ by Year 7 student Saniru. They will also learn why the device is used in poetry and be invited to experiment with the device themselves using an object. Show Less

Students will discover what imagery is and the impacts of this figurative language device on poetry using the poem ‘My Tree’ by Year 6 student Jack. They will also learn why the device is used in poetry and be invited to experiment with the device themselves using an object. Show Less

Students will discover what alliteration is and the impacts of this figurative language device on poetry using the poem ‘Wise Wahoo’ by teacher Jon. They will also learn why the device is used in poetry and be invited to experiment with the device themselves using an object. Show Less

At the heart of the ‘Scottish Play’ are the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and their relationship. This video discusses one of their key scenes - Act 1, Scene 7 – explaining the meaning of the scene and discussing the language used within. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

Over 400 years after Shakespeare’s death, his plays continue to be studied, discussed and performed around the world. This video delves into the literary devices used in ‘Macbeth’ and its major themes, explaining how they contribute to the timeless nature of the play. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

The 1930s and ‘40s saw a wave of European film directors emigrate to the US. In the same period, anti-communist hysteria due to Cold War tensions swept across the US and paranoia became commonplace. This video delves into the historical context behind the surveillance and suspicion seen in Alfred Hitchcock’s film ‘Rear Window’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this film. Show Less

During and after the Second World War, political and nationalistic sentiments saw the burning and removal of books as part of reality. Post-WWII, economic prosperity in the US saw print media give way to new technologies and trends. This video explores the influences on and dystopian elements of Ray Bradbury’s novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

The period leading up to and following World War II saw both communist and fascist leaders rise to power in Europe. Economic depression and the propaganda prevalent during WWII shaped perspectives on life in Britain during the Cold War period. This video investigates the inspiration behind and dystopian influences on George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

The lives of women in Victorian Britain were marked by limited opportunities and strict expectations regarding their behaviour. Poor understanding of mental illness and strong beliefs surrounding religious morality influenced society’s perception of women. This programme looks into the real-life background to and Gothic aspects of Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

Police approaches towards the investigation of crimes changed greatly in the 19th century. In London, there was an explosion in the number of detectives and true crime stories experienced a surge in popularity. This programme delves into the inspiration for and Gothic features of Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Sign of Four’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

Victorian England was heavily shaped by the Industrial Revolution. While some prospered in this society, many others lived gruelling industrial lives from which Christmas offered only a brief reprieve. This programme explores the influences on and Gothic elements of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

The 19th century was a time of shifting morals, behaviours and beliefs. People led secret double lives, leading authors and scientists alike to become fascinated with human psychology. This programme investigates the inspiration behind and Gothic influences on Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

Willy Russell’s ‘Blood Brothers’ chronicles the social circumstances that lead two brothers to tragedy. Although set in the 1960s and 70s, the musical reflects the social issues and attitudes of the time the play was written in the early 1980s. This video examines the historical and social context of the musical and provides a valuable accompaniment to Senior English students studying the film. Show Less

Alan Bennett’s 'The History Boys' is set in 1983, a time when England was rife with class conflict and political reform. This video examines the events and tensions that inform Bennett’s play, from the changing roles of teachers to the social attitudes towards the gay community. It provides a valuable accompaniment to Senior English students studying The History Boys. Show Less

England in the mid-80s was a time of widespread industrial action and social unrest. Striking miners picketed for their jobs, while the gay community fought for their rights. This video explores the historical events and changing social attitudes and gender roles that inform the film ‘Billy Elliot’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to Senior English students studying the film. Show Less