Assembly what Summer Solstice is and what we spend all of our time doing. Sleeping: 24 years (approximately one third of our lives!) Eating: 6 yearsWatching TV: 9 yearsWaiting in a queue (including at traffic lights): 5 yearsHousework: 4 yearsToilet: 18 monthsKissing: 2.5 weeks Purpose is to encourage pupils to make the most of every day. Hands up revealed some of my pupils spend more time on the xbox than sleeping.

A Year 7 lesson looking at quotes from Chapter 10. Pupils are guided through the PEE structure. Tasks include groups producing PEE cards to be swapped and put the end of the lesson pupils should have the ability to select appropriate quotes from the book, and give personal opinions about what they mean.

Assembly based on bullying within friendships and the workplace. The purpose is to encourage pupils to know their own mind but more importantly, for those who bully to recognise this in their behaviour towards 'friends'.

Year 7 or 8 media scheme of work. In groups pupils consider the various aspects of advertising; logos, slogans, language. Their task is to design and present a campaign on animal welfare and reflect on their choices at the end. This can be delivered over 1/2 lessons or given time/resources used to aid a more developed campaign. My last group made tote bags, business cards, recorded role plays...

Assembly looking at optical illusion photographs - some discussion about things not always being what they first appear. Introducing a competition for Year 8 to see who can take the best optical illusion photograph.

Lesson showing Blue Peter's iconic 'Tracey Island' demonstration. Pupils note key aspects of writing instructions before brainstorming ideas as a group. After deciding, they all write instructions (homework to write/present in neat) and consider logistics of presenting. This year we had waffles made from scratch, cake decorating - with lots of 'here's one I made earlier' Yoga, paninis, smoothies, origami and lots of other fun demonstrations.

May break my bones... PPT focussing on differences and the harm in words. Features an explicit picture of a slashed arm and some nasty words - edit according to audience.

Assembly on Remembrance Day. How it came about, where and why poppies are made. Delivered to Year 8 accompanied by a reading of In Flanders Fields and a display of poppies over the years.

Assembly on the dangers of harmless fun. Refers to statistics showing the number of reported accidents in schools each year. Hands up (eyes closed helps with honesty!) always reveals a large number of pupils who have pulled a chair from under someone or rocks on their chair.

All about July. Some bizarre 'celebration days' from around the world - including bring your plant to work day! A fun look at the final weeks leading to the summer break.

Year 12 lesson on setting in Wide Sargasso Sea. The PPT provides detailed information on the three settings and provides pupils with prompts to discuss and write about place and structure. Pupils are guided to consider place and character, looking specifically at Daniel Cosway’s room. After group writing, pupils annotated texts and completed an independent analysis of one extract relating to setting.

A PPT explaining how to include form, structure and language in an exam response without using those terms. A selection of past questions to be used in mock responses or discussion activities .

A range of questions to help pupils discuss Blake’s poetry, views and critical reception.

A PPT presentation as a starting point to consider poetry from John Keats: Selected Poems (Penguin Classics) (9780140424478)

A PPT as a starting point to discuss and study John Keats: Selected Poems (Penguin Classics) (9780140424478)

A PPT as a starting point to discuss and study John Keats: Selected Poems (Penguin Classics) (9780140424478)

A PPT as a starting point to discuss and study John Keats: Selected Poems (Penguin Classics) (9780140424478)