The Woman in Black: Target 9 for GCSE

Explore rousing themes, such as: revenge, isolation, paranoia and fear, betrayal and injustice, memory, loss and death, parenthood… and more!

With a memorable setting and an impactful ending, The Woman in Black is an excellent text for introducing stronger students to the complexities of Gothic literature and ghost stories. This pack of challenging activities will require students to be analytical, exploratory and conceptual and think and work at the top end of the GCSE assessment criteria.

The resource covers the key areas of the play, all referenced to AOs, including: context, setting, characters, language, structure, form, motifs, ideas and interpretations.

There is an excellent range of questions and content covered, and this resource is ready to use instantly.

K Greaves, Teacher & Peer Reviewer (previous edition)

Engaging and thought-provoking activities aim to:

The range of activities was appropriate, interesting and challenging

H Choudhury, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer (previous edition)
  • prompt the recall of important points
  • aid comprehension and reinforce clear, advanced understanding
  • enable students to apply their knowledge of the novella to a new situation or an unseen extract
  • support implicit and explicit analyses
  • encourage individual interpretations and stimulate new, creative and individual ideas

A close focus on exam success demonstrates the best ways to achieve top marks:

  • Exam hacks, key terms and essay questions throughout
  • Essay planning and academic writing skills guidance
  • Annotated grade 9 sample essays

Plus! Key terms glossary

What do teachers say about this resource? (12075)

A really comprehensive study guide which aims to extend and support pupils aiming for the higher grades... I particularly liked the annotated model answers which would be extremely helpful for teachers and pupils. Also, there were a range of suggested creative responses, such as producing a radio show and creating a musical playlist to match the mood of the novel, which would engage pupils... This resource enhances learning in a range of ways. It poses interesting, challenging questions for pupils to consider in the classroom and independently. There are many wider reading suggestions to extend and challenge, as well as supporting pupils with the understanding of genre and context. This is a high value resource which invites pupils to research more widely and explore the subtext of Susan Hill's language... There are a range of tasks for variety and interest; some include extended writing responses... Clearly laid out with interesting, varied and accessible tasks.

C McCullough, Head of English & Peer Reviewer

Excellent quality – very comprehensive... The context section was fantastic – really good ideas of how to deliver this part of the AO – often the hardest part to make accessible and interesting to pupils. All of the sections fit in perfectly with the strands on which the pupils are assessed. [I particularly like the] creative responses as well as exam/essay-type responses. This allows pupils to think outside of the box and therefore write more exploratory and analytical responses... I [also] particularly like the fact that the research has been done for me – this is the most time consuming element of lesson preparation... Totally meets the needs and demands of G&T pupils... Thought it was great – for both teachers and pupils. The range of activities was appropriate, interesting and challenging. I am genuinely looking forward to using this resource with my top set Y10 next year!

H Choudhury, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer (previous edition)

It is extremely comprehensive... great for dipping in and out of... Activities are appropriately challenging...

A Baiden, Teacher & Peer Reviewer (previous edition)

There is an excellent range of questions and content covered, and this resource is ready to use instantly. This resource lends itself well to any student who is considering studying Literature at KS5 as language, structure and form are covered in depth... I like the flexibility of the resource as teachers can use sections as and when needed. I also like the tips which are included on most worksheets. They are small pointers which don’t seem overwhelming to students and they can easily work them into their responses. I very much like the ‘Get Creative’ tasks and I know my students would too... After each section an annotated response is included, which is invaluable for students. Students like to see graded examples and in this resource students are shown how to achieve the highest grade possible.

K Greaves, Teacher & Peer Reviewer (previous edition)