Jack - Year 12 Student Editor's note: Tasked with writing a short story entitled 'Imprisoned', Year 12 student Jack's work really stood out for its effective use of deliberately crafted paragraphs, varied vocabulary, and the way in which it shows, rather then tells, the reader the story. CPD/KLK Imprisoned I was standing in the chamber … Continue reading Imprisoned
Alexandra - Year 9 Student Editor's note: I could have submitted at least two handfuls of answers in response to this task, but this one really stood out. Alexandra, now in Year 10, wrote the following in response to the task at the bottom and it really made me go 'Wow': sophisticated, concise, and yet … Continue reading Why do people fight?
Dorotea - Year 9 Student Editor's Note: This wonderful Prezi presentation was researched and created by Dorotea Y9 in response to a recent task set in English (see below). The stimulus for the task was a recent quote from Jonathan Freedland (The Guardian, 2020), "Still, for now, the pandemic has been a boon to the … Continue reading Coronavirus: ‘a boon to the world’s authoritarians, tyrants and bigots’?
Eva - Year 8 Student Editor's Note: This short piece of excellent fictional writing was completed by Eva Y11 as part of her studies in English. CPD The darkness, streaked with moonlight, creeps up on us. The calamity is as foreboding as King Marold’s empty eyes. I shiver, but not because of the midnight chill. … Continue reading A Short Story
Charis - GSAL Alumna (2019 Leaver) Editor's Note: Former student Charis (2019 Leaver) was an editorial member of Salutaris, the Sixth Form academic journal, during her time at GSAL. This thought-provoking essay was originally published in Salutaris 2019, a project led by Mrs Gray, E-Learning Designer. CPD An interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragicomedy and its name Shakespeare’s The Winter’s … Continue reading Is “a sad tale best for winter”?
Kartik - Year 10 Student Editor's Note: Written as part of his studies in English Language, the sense of threat and the lack of opportunity for escape comes across really strongly in this edited version of Kartik’s longer piece. The phrase ‘New Assignment’ may also strike fear in the hearts of those posting them during … Continue reading ‘New Assignment’: the evil, soul-destroying message
Spencer - Year 9 Student Editor's Note: Spencer (Year 9) wrote the following in response to pick-and-mix tasks consolidating two poems, one of which was Alfred, Lord Tennyson's famous 1854 narrative poem The Charge of the Light Brigade. Spencer's chosen task asked the students to turn the words shown below into another poem or a … Continue reading The Charge, crunched
GSAL English Department Editor's Note: Students in Year 11 have enjoyed a recent series of lessons on Desert Island Discs, delivered by Mr Morley. We thought that you might be interested to know that the BBC is looking for listeners to get involved in a new lockdown issue of the programme. Details from the BBC … Continue reading Your Desert Island Discs
Barnaby - Year 7 Student Editor's Note: This is a beautifully uplifting piece of writing Barnaby submitted as part of the BBC Radio 2 500 Words 2020 competition. KSH A year ago, I was in a classroom, collecting money for charity on the teacher’s desk. A month ago, I was storage for spare stationary. Today, … Continue reading Glass Jar
Oliver - Year 7 Student Editor's Note: Students were asked to complete the following creative writing task under timed conditions: 'Describe an old-fashioned room as suggested by the picture'. Oliver's response demonstrates some truly fantastic writing. ADM The room had a musty odour, evocative of grandparents’ houses - the type that makes you feel safe … Continue reading An Old-fashioned Room
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