A Century Later

A Century Later – GCSE Poetry Resource (AQA Worlds and Lives)

This GCSE English Literature teaching resource is designed to support the study of A Century Later by Imtiaz Dharker from the AQA Worlds and Lives anthology. Ideal for first teaching and revision, the resource helps students build a secure understanding of the poem while developing the analytical and comparative skills required for success in the GCSE examination.

Through a structured sequence of activities, students explore how Dharker presents ideas about education, power, gender inequality and social justice, progressing from initial understanding to detailed analysis and exam-style writing.

Resource includes:

Two editable PowerPoint lessons with accompanying worksheets

Background information on the poet and relevant context, including the influence of Malala Yousafzai

Guided reading and comprehension activities

Focused analysis of language, imagery, structure and key themes

Model paragraphs and a full sample response

GCSE-style essay question with planning guidance

Comparison preparation linked to other poems in the Worlds and Lives anthology

Students also examine Dharker’s use of free verse, conflict imagery and the poem’s movement from personal experience to wider global significance. Fully editable and classroom-ready, this resource reduces planning time while supporting clear, confident GCSE analysis.