±«Óătv

Primary English

Shakespeare

  • Romeo and Juliet

    The story of the 'star-crossed lovers' is told by the character Rosaline, Romeo's unrequited love, in this adaptation of nine short videos, ideal for classroom activities.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ 9-11
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream

    This adaptation is faithful to the characters and plot of Shakespeare's original and also references the original language throughout.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Macbeth

    Shakespeare's play of murder and witchcraft is told in eight short videos, providing writing and drama performance opportunities.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • The Tempest

    The Tempest told in 8 video clips. A ship returning from Africa is caught in a ferocious storm. On a nearby island Prospero, once Duke of Milan, has plans for those on board...

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Shakespeare Retold

    A series of ten stories written by well-known children’s authors, including Frank Cottrell Boyce and Geraldine McCaughrean. Each story is inspired by or based on a play by William Shakespeare.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Shakespeare in Shorts

    Short videos retelling of some of William Shakespeare's most well-known plays set to modern music. They are a great way of consolidating key aspects, or to use for revision of the plot and characters.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • i.am.Will Shakespeare

    Newsround's Ricky Boleto and Leah Gooding go in search of William Shakespeare, exploring his life, his world, his theatre, and some of his most famous plays.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • This online archive provides schools, colleges and universities across the UK with access to hundreds of ±«Óătv television and radio broadcasts of Shakespeare’s plays, sonnets and documentaries about Shakespeare.

    A screenshot from the ±«Óătv's Shakespeare archive - it shows images from RSC plays and TV adaptations.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling

Reading and writing

  • Bringing Books to Life collection 1

    Celebrity presenters share what they love about their favourite books including 'The Worst Witch' by Jill Murphy and 'The Firework-Maker’s Daughter' by Philip Pullman

    • Attribution
      KS1/KS2 ‱ Ages 5-11
  • Bringing Books to Life collection 2

    A second collection featuring favourite books including 'Cosmic' by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce.

    • Attribution
      KS1/KS2 ‱ Ages 5-11
  • Little Red Riding Hood

    The story of Little Red Riding Hood told over the course of seven fun videos. There have been rumours of a wolf on the prowl in the woods...

    • Attribution
      KS1 ‱ Ages 5-7
  • Jack and the Beanstalk

    The classic story of Jack and the Beanstalk told in 14 short video clips. Jack and his Ma are penniless and without food. Jack takes Daisy the cow to sell at market, but instead of money he returns with five magic beans...

    • Attribution
      KS1 ‱ Ages 5-7
  • Folktales From Around The World

    A series of short animated films based on folktales from around the world. The series includes stories from Brazil, India, Israel, Iraq, Pakistan and Nigeria. Narrated by Maureen Lipman, Meera Syal and others.

    • Attribution
      KS1 ‱ Ages 5-7
  • Lakshmi and the Clever Washerwoman

    The traditional Hindu tale of Lakshmi and the Clever Washerwoman is told in two short videos - accompanied by worksheets and suggestions for activities.

    • Attribution
      KS1 ‱ Ages 5-7
  • Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock

    The West African traditional tale of Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock is told in two short videos - accompanied by worksheets and suggestions for activities.

    • Attribution
      KS1 ‱ Ages 5-7
  • Viking Sagas

    Stories from Norse mythology told in a fun but faithful style. The stories feature famous characters such as Loki, Odin and Thor.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Treasure Island

    Robert Louis Stevenson's famous tale of pirates and treasure is told in 10 video clips. Jim Hawkins is bored with his life and dreams of adventure...

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Beowulf

    The Anglo-Saxon story of Beowulf told in 3 short animated videos. Beowulf sails to Denmark to help Hrothgar and his people in their battle with the monster Grendel.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Roald Dahl - Extracts

    A collection of extracts from Roald Dahl texts read by Eniola Aluko, Bella Ramsey and Sir Michael Palin.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

    Watch the classic 14th century chivalric romance poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight told in six short video clips.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • The Tales of Beatrix Potter

    A selection of Beatrix Potter’s best-loved tales are brought to life for a young audience by an all-star cast: Jim Broadbent, Sally Hawkins, Miranda Richardson and Alison Steadman.

    • Attribution
      KS1 ‱ Ages 5-7
  • Aesop's Fables

    Aesop's best-known fables are brought to life in audio/video adaptations for children aged 5 to 9. Each story is five minutes long and read by an all-star cast including Brenda Blethyn, the late Richard Briers, Lindsay Duncan, Richard E Grant, Jane Horrocks, Jonathan Pryce and Alison Steadman.

    • Attribution
      KS1 ‱ Ages 5-7
  • 'The Breakfast Club Adventures' by Marcus Rashford

    ±«Óătv Teach have partnered with The National Literacy Trust to help teachers explore Marcus Rashford's book, ‘The Breakfast Club Adventures', in primary schools.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Full-length versions of our animated series

    Full versions (all episodes combined) of a selection of our animated series - this may be useful for parents/carers working with children at home.

    • Attribution
      KS1/KS2 ‱ Ages 5-11

Types of text

  • How to create a comic

    Produced in partnership with Beano and offering primary pupils expert tips and advice on comic creation.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: A Musical for Schools

    This musical has been inspired by the book and animated short film adaption of the same name. It makes an ideal musical performance lasting about one hour.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Joseph Coelho - Understanding Poetry

    Poet Joseph Coelho shows us that poetry is relatable, fun, and can open up new ways of understanding and expressing your emotions and thoughts.

    • Attribution
      KS1/KS2 ‱ Ages 5-11
  • Primary Poetry

    A range of poems to explore with your class. Together you can read, discuss and appreciate the poems, and maybe even learn some by heart to perform as individuals or as a class.

    • Attribution
      KS1/KS2 ‱ Ages 5-11
  • 'New Beginnings’ by Tony Walsh

    A performance of the poem, ‘New Beginnings’, by the poet Tony Walsh, on the set of the Writing and Performance Poetry Live Lesson.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • The Facts About Non-Fiction

    With the help of some well-known faces, including Michael Rosen and Chris Packham, these short films for primary schools are designed to help pupils make their non-fiction writing the best it can be.

    • Attribution
      KS1/KS2 ‱ Ages 5-11
  • Creative writing

    Short video clips and resources focusing on how to write different types of text, including a poem, a TV show script, song lyrics and a news story.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11

Speaking and listening

  • Primary Drama Workshop

    A series of three CPD videos offering guidance to the non-specialist teachers on how to use classroom drama activities with their pupils.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Audio stories

    Stories cover a broad range of primary topics and are typically about 5 minutes long. Ideal for fostering speaking and listening skills and stimulating children's imaginations.

    • Attribution
      KS1 ‱ Ages 5-7
  • Once Upon a Time...

    Six classic fairy tales are reimagined and retold through dance, movement and animation, without dialogue and with specially composed music - offering opportunity for children to write and perform their own interpretations.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11

±«Óătv Teach Live Lessons are half hour interactive programmes to support teachers and bring curriculum content to life.

  • 500 Words 2024 – Live Lesson

    Inspire your class to write a story they would love to read with our 500 Words Live Lesson.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • Remembrance – Literacy Live Lesson

    Poet and Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho shares techniques and poetic devices, and children will come away inspired to write their own poems and reflective pieces.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • 500 Words 2023 – Live Lesson

    This curriculum-linked literacy programme, broadcast live from the Story Museum in Oxford, gives KS2 pupils the tools to create their own original short stories.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11
  • World Book Day 2023 – Live Lesson

    Created in partnership with World Book Day, this curriculum-linked English Live Lesson focuses on reading for pleasure through fun interactive activities and aims to encourage your pupils’ love of books and a positive attitude towards reading.

    • Attribution
      KS2 ‱ Ages 7-11