English homework project: Background to ‘A Kestrel for a Knave’ Date due: Friday 18th
October
Task outline:
Using the following questions, you will research and produce an informative leaflet relating to the
historical background of the novel. Your target audience will be Year 8 pupils.

What were secondary modern schools?

What were grammar schools?

How was the decision made about which school pupils were sent to?

What was the school leaving age in the 1960’s?

What were most secondary modern pupils encouraged to do after leaving school?

What were most grammar school pupils encouraged to do after leaving school?

What were the main differences between the two types of schools?

What was corporal punishment and how was it used in schools?
Top tips for success:
 Don’t just copy and paste; use your own words
 Pick out what’s relevant to your Year 9 audience and get rid of what isn’t (think about how you
approached the ‘kestrel task’)
 Swap any unfamiliar vocabulary with words which your audience will be able to understand
 Read your leaflet carefully and ask yourself: is the information useful to YOU; if not, change it……
Most importantly…
 The end product should be handwritten!