Certificates and prizes are ready; we are looking forward to our lower school summer public speaking competition this evening!

We had an inspiring evening of public speaking with our Year 7s and Year 8s yesterday, with seven talented teams speaking confidently, persuasively, and powerfully about a range of topics. Well done all, and well done to the winning team: Eliza, Ruth, and Greg!

FAO Years 10 - 13! Our annual alumni talk takes place after school on Thursday, 15:40-16:30. If you are interested in studying English Literature at A Level, or at university, do come along to hear current and former SJL students share their experiences and advice!

SJL Open Evening tonight! To share a little of what our students enjoy in English at SJL, we have fun poetry and creative writing activities this evening, as well as a classroom full of examples of some wonderful work completed by our students this academic year!

To all our students, we are so glad you’re getting on well with the work set. Please can we ask you to only submit or email work if your teacher has asked for it. At the moment our email inboxes can’t cope with pictures of all your brilliant work. 📚

FAO our current, and prospective, A Level students: don’t forget to watch or rewatch these. They are really useful for the NEA!

Are you looking for recommendations for great books to read? Why not read the books on the shortlist for the 2020 CILIP Carnegie book award? The award recognises the very best in children’s writing from the last year. For further info: carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/cilip-carnegie…

This is a really fabulous production and essential viewing for any KS 4 and 5 Drama student!#theatrematters

Some ideas for English-related activities to do over the next week...!

FAO our Y10 students! This will definitely be worth watching!

Some ideas for English-related activities to do over half-term! 📚📽️🎭

Well done to Olly (Y7) and Ella (Y12), who were our entrants for this year's national Poetry by Heart competition. The Poetry by Heart judges loved their performances, and awarded Olly a Commended Contestant certificate, whilst Ella was named County Winner in the KS5 age group!

Tune in to yesterday's fantastic webinar featuring #CKG20 shortlistees! With brilliant insights into the shortlisted books for Shadowers to enjoy, a draw-along with @Chris_Naylor_B and behind the scenes look at Beth Waters 🇺🇦🕊's sketchbook! Watch it here: vimeo.com/425829708

On Thursday (11th June), Aston University is hosting an online event about studying English at university. If any of our Y11 or A Level students are thinking about studying English at university, you may find it useful. Register here: unitasterdays.com/events/event/6…

Great alternative book cover as a first entry from 7L En3 for the Twelve Before You’re Twelve Reading competition - Well dome Xavier K!

Another great entry for the Twelve Before You’re Twelve Reading competition - from James W in 7LEn3

FAO our Y9, Y10, and Y11 students - check your Edulink accounts for a link to this afternoon's live reading of Macbeth, starring Joe Lycett as the drunken porter! The stream will be live from 3:45pm today. Further info here: theguardian.com/culture/2021/f…

FAO our Y8 students - check your Edulink accounts for a link to this afternoon's live reading of Romeo and Juliet! The stream will be live from 4:15pm today. Further info here: wearereadthrough.com

Exciting opportunity for our students in Years 7-9: the Martha Mills Young Writers’ prize is a new creative writing competition. The judges are looking for entries (prose, up to 500 words) inspired by the theme ‘The Stranger’. Speak to your English teacher for more information!

FAO our A Level English Literature students! This is a fantastic opportunity.