English class project ideas

Make the most of lessons with these engaging English projects, covering a range of genres and key skills

Tes Resources Team

English Secondary Class Project Books Piled On A Table to use for writing and text-based English projects

Project ideas to keep secondary English classes motivated and practising key skills

Whether you're looking for English projects to finish a unit of work or start or end the term, projects for a stand-alone lesson or covering a series of lessons offer students opportunities to work creatively and analytically, while consolidating everything they have learned so far in a clear way. They can also be a great way to encourage your learners to take part in group work, practise their speaking and listening skills and develop effective ways to research and revise.

We have selected a wide range of project-based resources from the Tes community, focusing on writing creatively and for different purposes and audiences as well as projects for structuring students’ reading of different texts and exploring a range of genres, which are sure to keep your secondary students engaged and challenged. 

Looking for more secondary English resources? Take a look at our English hub.

Writing and creative projects

At the start of a term or nearing the end of one, English writing projects are a great way for students to get stuck into a more extended writing piece, explore language and techniques when writing for different purposes and audiences and enjoy taking ownership of their own ideas, as well as honing their planning, drafting and editing skills. From putting together your own magazine to writing a novella, pitching an innovative idea in a persuasive speech and creating a script for a reality TV format, we have gathered together some of our favourite writing project ideas the Tes community has to offer to give you some inspiration. So, why not take a look?

Looking for more creative writing resources? Explore this hand-picked creative and descriptive writing collection.

The Island Project creative writing mini-scheme
sae5

The Island Project creative writing mini-scheme

£7.50
(5)
A 6-lesson mini scheme of work, 'The Island Project' is a creative writing scheme that imagines the students have been stranded on a deserted island. Written in the form of journal entries, this scheme allows students to develop their creative writing skills, understand how to build descriptions and...
Writing a Novel Project
sinead242

Writing a Novel Project

£1.00
(1)
A project for multiple lessons, cover lessons or homework where students begin/ create their own novel or graphic novel. Suitable for Years 7-10.
Create a Reality TV show literacy project
Bayside Teaching Resources

Create a Reality TV show literacy project

£3.00
(1)
A fun and engaging group literacy project which supports pupils in planning their own reality TV show. Designed to last 4-6 lessons. This resource can be photocopied into a 12-page A5 booklet. On completion of the booklet pupils can present and pitch their show ideas to the class. Skills practised ...
Drama/English Persuasive+Creative Project/Cover Work
SchooledResources

Drama/English Persuasive+Creative Project/Cover Work

£3.00
(1)
Introducing the ultimate entrepreneurial activity pack: Shark Tank Worksheets! Designed to ignite creativity, hone persuasive skills, and unleash the advertising genius within students, these three worksheets are the perfect blend of fun and learning. **They can be used as part of a project or for c...

Reading and text-based projects

Reading projects can give your students the opportunity and dedicated time to consolidate and present their knowledge and understanding of a set text they have been studying over a series of lessons, independently delve into an author or genre they are inspired by or practise their analytical skills while reflecting on their own reading for pleasure. With our range of hand-picked engaging projects for exploring different texts, authors and literary genres, including everything from researching the life and times of Shakespeare and the Shakespearean comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to analysing key poets and their famous works, you are sure to find something to get you started.

Looking for more resources to develop students’ reading and encourage them to explore the library? Explore this Love your library collection of hand-picked resources.

An Inspector Calls Homework Project
zae_pounce

An Inspector Calls Homework Project

£1.00
(1)
An Inspector Calls Independent learning project. Use knowledge of the play to design and pitch a cover for a new edition of the text. Design should include information on the author, blurb, key quotes and evaluative comment. Includes second task to write a persuasive letter to a local book shop. Wor...
Book review Mind Map
HJames4

Book review Mind Map

FREE
(27)
This is a blank mind map worksheet for creating a book review. Prints on A4, best photocopied up to A3 size. Pupils fill in boxes with brief descriptions as prompted for story characters, draw and label the elements of the storyline, tick boxes to show the genre and their opinions in brief, fill in...
Poetry Homework Project
zae_pounce

Poetry Homework Project

£1.00
(1)
Handout containing instructions and guidance for a poetry research project. Includes tips as well as a projected schedule. Designed to be a project lasting a half term.
Shakespeare - Research & Leaflet (Cover Lesson)
Miss_Hope

Shakespeare - Research & Leaflet (Cover Lesson)

£1.00
(1)
Students create a leaflet about Shakespeare using the guidance and questions on the worksheet. It usually takes pupils between 2-3 lessons to complete. It also makes a straightforward and convenient cover lesson. N.B. Pupils will need access to the internet for their research or, alternatively, yo...
Animal Farm - Creative project
gudrunbjorg

Animal Farm - Creative project

FREE
(1)
This is a summative project I created for my lower ability IGCSE English B students, which gives them a chance to revise some of the text types and conventions they need to have mastered for the exam. All tasks can be done as group or individual tasks, and can be done on computers or in their books.

Looking for more hand-picked secondary English resources? Find a range of our secondary English resource highlights and collections here.

Explore even more English projects