About this day
This autumn sees the return to London of the stimulating, information-packed GCSE English in Action programme, featuring a fascinating line-up of presentations guaranteed to enthuse and inspire. During the day, students will hear from a range of expert and engaging speakers who will explore ways to enhance their creativity and writing skills, examine non-fiction texts across time, and tackle unseen poetry. The day will end on an unforgettable note with a presentation by an award-winning poet, who will read from and discuss their poetry before taking questions from the audience. Students are guaranteed to leave brimming with essential insights and ideas.
The day will be chaired by Neil Bowen. An experienced Head of English and freelance writer, Neil Bowen is the author of a range of books, articles and English resources and a member of Ofqual’s experts panel for English.
Programme & speakers
Tackling unseen poetry, the little picture and the BIG Neil Bowen, Teacher, lecturer and author
Neil Bowen will explore effective and ineffective ways of reading and writing about unseen poetry and seek to dismantle the myth that poems are essentially fiendish puzzles which readers have to solve to extract a single, hidden ‘message’.
About Neil Bowen
An experienced Head of English and a freelance writer, Neil Bowen is the author of a range of books, articles and English resources and a member of Ofqual’s experts panel for English. He is the author of The Art of Writing English Essays for GCSE, co-author of The Art of Writing English Essays for A-level and Beyond and of The Art of Poetry, volumes 1-5. Neil also created and runs the Peripeteia project bridging the gap between A-level and degree level English courses.
Write like a genius! Jennifer Webb, Trinity Academy Cathedral, Wakefield
The examiner doesn’t know you – all they see are words on the page! In this session you will learn some foolproof strategies to help you write short stories and descriptions like a pro and get the grade you deserve.
About Jennifer Webb
Jennifer Webb is an English teacher and Assistant Principal. She is the author of ‘How to Teach English Literature: Overcoming Cultural Poverty’ (2019), regular conference speaker and teacher trainer.
John Agard John Agard, Poet
Multi-award-winning poet, children’s writer and playwright John Agard will introduce and read selected poems from his collections. He will discuss the meaning behind his words and answer questions from the audience.
About John Agard
A leading poet, children’s writer and playwright, John Agard is a unique, driving force of contemporary poetry. His poems combine acute social observation with a riotous imagination and his performances are thrilling and energetic. He has won a number of awards, including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry.
Non-fiction texts over time Graham Elsdon, Teacher, author, examiner
Graham Elsdon will explore a range of non-fiction texts from different time periods, examining issues such as language and structural choices and authorial voice. He will also look at methods of comparison and inferential skills.
About Graham Elsdon
Graham is an English leader, visiting lecturer, and author of several study guides and textbooks. Graham has co-designed current English specifications and is part of Ofqual’s Panel of English Experts.