Study Sessions: STG English Revision

Starting with 'Bayonet Charge', we'll be releasing short Baughcuts for all fifteen of the AQA Power and Conflict anthology poems. Focusing on the title and three key quotations, these episodes are designed as bitesize revision morsels to help with comparative essay planning.

In this episode, step into the chilling, aristocratic world of Robert Browning's My Last Duchess . Explore the sinister undertones beneath the Duke's polished charm, unravelling themes of jealous control, authoritarian power, and oppressive gender dynamics. Through vivid imagery and insightful line-by-line analysis, discover how Browning masterfully employs dramatic irony, poetic techniques, and h...

In this episode, we explore Simon Armitage's Remains , a poem that exposes the moral ambiguities of conflict, psychological trauma and the power of memory. This is a key poem within the AQA Power and Conflict cluster - use the episode to support your revision and enrich your understanding.

In this very first edition of STG Unplugged, we explore Korean and Chinese dramas, riddles, the festival of Kwanza and so much more! Listen, enjoy, and get involved! We'll be sharing more episode from our Podcasting Club elective over the rest of the school year!

In this episode, we explore how The Émigrée by Carol Rumens articulates the experience of exile and dislocation, while also celebrating the power and intensity of memory. A critical poem within the AQA Power and Conflict anthology cluster, use this episode to support your English Literature exam revision and preparation.

In this episode, we walk through the streets of late-18th century London with one of the greatest poets and artists of the Romantic period - William Blake. Great for revision of a central poem within the 'Power and Conflict' anthology cluster, we'll examine the text's remarkable auditory focus and unpack its key metaphors and images. Enjoy!

In this episode, I explore William Golding's Lord of the Flies, focusing on the theme of inherent evil within human nature. Moving from character to character, this episode serves as a valuable component of your Paper 2 mock exam revision. Use it in conjunction with your exam revision handout for maximum impact!

As part of our World Book Day and National Careers Week celebrations, in this special edition of Study Sessions we hear from acclaimed writer and journalist Ben Aitken ( https://www.johnsonandalcock.co.uk/aitken-ben ). From his experiences in Poland to some culinary surprises while travelling, Ben shares his love of travel, culture and meeting new people. Whether you are thinking of a career in jo...

In this episode, I explore the theme of social responsibility in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Moving stave by stave, we consider the ways Dickens critiques greed and celebrates generosity. Designed to dovetail with your homework booklet and exam prep, this should be part of your GCSE revision English Literature studies!

In this episode, I dive into the ghostly world of A Christmas Carol and explore how Dickens uses the supernatural to transform Scrooge from miser to merrymaker. From Marley’s eerie warning to the three spirits’ life-changing lessons, I break down key moments and analyse how they shape the novella’s powerful message. Expect detailed quotation analysis, lively discussion, and plenty of insights to h...

What does Scrooge’s transformation in A Christmas Carol reveal about morality, capitalism, and Victorian society? In this episode, we analyse the conceptual metaphors of cold and warmth, the Malthusian allusions in Scrooge’s worldview, and whether Dickens’ novella is a radical critique or a plea for personal generosity. We explore key quotations, including Scrooge’s desperate plea to “sponge away...

In this guest-hosted episode, Mrs Colson explores John Agard’s Checking Out Me History , a powerful critique of historical omissions. She breaks down Agard’s use of Creole, non-standard grammar, and striking imagery, uncovering themes of identity, power, and colonial narratives. Released to tie in with your exam preparation work, use this episode to sharpen and improve your analytical skills.

In this episode, I focus on Piggy's character in William Golding's Lord of the Flies . Through five significant quotations, I explore themes of marginalisation, dehumanisation, and Piggy's outsider status. This analysis highlights how Piggy's treatment by the group reflects broader societal tendencies to dismiss intellect and rationality in favour of charisma and dominance. Quotations Featured in...

This episode of Study Sessions focuses on Lord of the Flies as part of your mock exam revision and ties in specifically with the mock paper you've been given in class. I explore themes of law, order, democracy, and dictatorship, analysing the conch shell, Jack and Roger's authoritarianism, and the dehumanisation of Simon and Piggy. Discover how fear of the beast reflects human savagery and how Gol...

In this episode of Study Sessions , we explore the theme of responsibility in J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls . Perfect for Year 9 students preparing for their mid-year assessments, this episode analyses the characters’ failures to take responsibility for Eva Smith and how Priestley critiques societal attitudes. I examine key moments in the play, including Arthur Birling’s arrogance, Sheila’s...

In this special Study Sessions episode, I explore George Orwell’s Animal Farm and analyse how Napoleon exemplifies power and control. Designed for Year 8 students preparing for their mid-year assessments, this episode examines Orwell’s techniques, the novella’s famous ending, and its allegorical significance. Plus, listen closely for an Easter egg for a chance to win a prize! Year 9 will have thei...

In this episode of Study Sessions (Baughcast!), I delve into the fragile and tragic theme of innocence in William Golding's Lord of the Flies. I track the boys' transformation from playful children to embodiments of humanity's darker instincts, using key moments from the novel. Be sure to use this episode to support your homework for Week 11 in your Exam Preparation booklet! Topics discussed inclu...

No full episode this week, just a heart-warming Christmas message of joy, compassion and hope from Mr Baugh (courtesy of Fred from A Christmas Carol).

In this episode of Study Sessions, we explore Percy Bysshe Shelley’s timeless sonnet 'Ozymandias' through the lens of identity . The poem’s grand themes of power, legacy, and the fragility of human ambition are contrasted with Imtiaz Dharker’s Tissue, a modern reflection on the transient and interconnected nature of identity. Together, these works invite us to question the permanence of our legaci...

Dive into Shakespeare’s Macbeth as we explore the themes of suspicion and doubt, examining key moments, from Duncan’s misplaced trust to Macbeth’s psychological unravelling and Lady Macbeth’s descent into tortured guilt. Through detailed analysis of key quotations, this episode unpacks how suspicion drives the characters and shapes the tragedy. Each episode is now linked to this week's homework, s...

In this episode of Study Sessions, we dive deep into Carol Ann Duffy’s powerful poem War Photographer. This poignant piece takes us into the world of a photojournalist processing images of conflict, grappling with the emotional and ethical weight of his work. We’ll explore: The religious and moral symbolism of the darkroom. Contrasts between war zones and the comfort of rural England. The photogra...

In this episode of Study Sessions, we explore the enigmatic character of Simon in William Golding’s 'Lord of the Flies'. Often described as the moral compass of the novel, Simon’s connection to nature, profound insight into human nature, and tragic death make him a cornerstone of Golding’s allegory. Join us as we uncover: Simon’s moral qualities and spiritual role on the island. His unique relatio...

In this episode of Study Sessions , we explore Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s The Charge of the Light Brigade , a poem that immortalises the bravery of 600 British soldiers who rode into certain death during the Crimean War. With a close reading of key lines, we uncover the poem’s rhythmic intensity, its complex tone of admiration and critique, and its broader commentary on obedience and sacrifice. We’ll...

Today we're launching 'BAUGHCUTS', short, bonus episodes offering exam top tips. In our first episode we're looking ahead to Wednesday's mock exam and focusing on 'Macbeth' and the poetry anthology comparison.

In this episode, we explore the theme of ambition in Shakespeare's intense and bloody tragedy, 'Macbeth'. From Lady Macbeth's emasculating manipulations to Macbeth's numb 'loss of affect', tune in for lots of analysis and observations to support your at-home revision.