The Demon Headmaster - teaching resource

The Demon Headmaster – English Unit of Work (146-slide PowerPoint + 28 Worksheets)

Bring Gillian Cross’s classic novel The Demon Headmaster to life with this fully resourced English teaching unit, ideal for Y5/6 (but also works well with Y7) students. This comprehensive scheme of work includes a 146-slide editable PowerPoint and 28 printable worksheets packed with engaging tasks that support the development of essential reading, writing, inference, and analytical skills.

Structured around the full novel, this unit explores plot, character, language, and theme, while also building creative and critical thinking through a variety of imaginative activities. It’s perfect for classroom use, intervention, or guided reading sessions.

What’s included:

• Reading and comprehension questions with full answer sets
• Detailed character analysis tasks using textual evidence and quotations
• Inference and deduction skill-building through close reading
• Exploration of authorial language choices and their effects
• Descriptive and empathetic writing tasks (diary entries, letters, role-play)
• Informal assessments: quizzes, crosswords, word searches, pub-style quizzes
• Opportunities to give and use constructive criticism
• Discussion-based tasks exploring themes such as power, control, and identity
• Activities examining how the author builds tension and suspense
• Review writing and post-reading reflection tasks

This editable resource pack allows for flexible lesson planning and easy differentiation, supporting pupils of varying abilities in developing core literacy skills.

To preview The Demon Headmaster teaching unit, click on the image thumbnails above to browse selected slides.

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