illumiNATE Archives

Blog

6 February 2026

Why we switched to My Name is Leon at GCSE (and why you should too)

In an exam-driven system, choosing a modern, diverse GCSE text can feel like a gamble.…

Alix Amrane

Secondary

10 October 2025

Reclaiming language in the English Classroom: hints and tips from NATE’s Language Working Group

Since the 2014 curriculum reforms, the study of language has been squeezed out of English…

Caroline Godfrey

Secondary

23 May 2025

How can the process of storyboarding film help our students write compelling prose?

By borrowing structural and visual techniques from film, students can plan and draft prose with…

Anthony Cockerill

Secondary

9 May 2025

Poetry, Art, Ambiguity, Meaning and Interpretation

Gary Snapper’s work on poetry and art aims to help students to become more confident…

Gary Snapper

Secondary

2 May 2025

Capturing animals in poetry: a teacher’s guide

What does it mean to ‘capture’ an animal in poetry? By using the work of…

Jessica De Waal

Blog

25 April 2025

A teacher’s-eye-view of the CLiPPA CLPE Children’s Poetry Award

What happens when a teacher becomes a judge for one of the UK’s biggest children’s…

Saira Bano

Secondary

1 April 2025

Reimagining Frankenstein through drama

Using drama activities in the English classroom can engage students with the plot, themes and…

Sue Pinnick

Secondary

27 February 2025

Theft and baking: two ways of supporting students to develop analytical writing

Fe Brewer explains two ways she improved her students’ ability to write about texts and…

Fe Brewer 0

Secondary

24 February 2025

The appeal of flash fiction

Anne Enright's story 'The Weight' can be a great stimulus for discussion of narrative possibilities…

Anthony Cockerill 0

Secondary

24 February 2025

Could copywork help build our students’ writing stamina?

Faye Griffiths explores how some tried and tested ideas can still hold water Sometimes, a…

Faye Griffiths 0

illumiNATE

Why we switched to My Name is Leon at GCSE (and why you should too)

Reclaiming language in the English Classroom: hints and tips from NATE’s Language Working Group

How can the process of storyboarding film help our students write compelling prose?

Poetry, Art, Ambiguity, Meaning and Interpretation

Capturing animals in poetry: a teacher’s guide

A teacher’s-eye-view of the CLiPPA CLPE Children’s Poetry Award

Reimagining Frankenstein through drama

Theft and baking: two ways of supporting students to develop analytical writing

The appeal of flash fiction

Could copywork help build our students’ writing stamina?

Empowering English teachers to inspire young people

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