Using ERA to support CPD and adapt schemes of learning in English

From DVDs and YouTube to trusted video content

Before ERA, sourcing video content was inconsistent and time consuming.

“It was very much potluck with YouTube… and there were always copyright issues.”
Danielle recalls relying on DVDs and shared systems before online platforms became standard.

“We made sure we had the DVD version, then loaded it onto shared systems. Things have changed a lot.”

ERA removed this friction by providing trusted, education safe access to BBC and broadcast content.

Supporting English lessons across key stages

Danielle teaches from Key Stage 3 through to A level, and uses ERA flexibly across all phases.

“The first and most obvious thing you do is go to the film or drama production of the text you’re teaching.”

But for Danielle, ERA’s value goes well beyond set text adaptations.

“What I really like about ERA is the interview content; actors, producers and the documentaries. The BBC content is always really high quality.”

She highlights the Lit in Colour series and contextual documentaries as particularly valuable for literature and language lessons.

Improving engagement through video

Video plays a key role in student engagement.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had students say, ‘Do we have to watch this?’

The media available on the Video Streaming Platform also helps greatly in contextual teaching, helping students engage with history, culture and wider perspectives.

“With Animal Farm, having the animated version alongside resources on the Russian Revolution – the students love it.”

For A level students, documentaries provide powerful links to themes such as colonialism, politics and social change.

“Within 10 minutes I was showing a clip that directly linked to what we were discussing.”

Saving time and inspiring better lessons

The Video Streaming Platform has helped to reduce planning time while supporting creative lesson design.

“It’s 100% easier. I can quickly find something and sometimes that sparks the whole lesson idea.”

This sense of discovery feeds directly into curriculum development.

"We were in a meeting and someone said, ‘Have you checked ERA?’ Within minutes we’d found two things and dropped them straight into a scheme of learning.”

ERA’s sharing functionality allows learning to continue beyond the classroom.

“With ERA I can share clips so students can revisit them, that’s something I can’t do with other platforms.”

This is particularly useful for missed lessons and reinforcing key concepts.

Supporting adaptive, mixed-ability teaching

Danielle is a strong advocate of inclusive learning and values tools that allow her to adapt lessons in real time.

“With platforms like ERA, I have the scope to be really adaptive.”
She describes using short, chunked clips, listening frames and visual content to meet the needs of different cohorts.

“This year’s Year 8 respond far better to visual things and shorter chunking than our previous cohort.”

Supporting collaboration and CPD

As Lead Practitioner, Danielle regularly leads curriculum collaboration and CPD.

“ERA would be perfect for CPD – this is how I’m using it, now go and explore.”

ERA supports shared planning, experimentation and fresh approaches to teaching familiar English texts.

Why ERA works for English teachers

After decades of teaching core texts, Danielle values tools that keep lessons fresh.

“When you find something that lets you teach a text a little bit differently, we like that as teachers.”

For Danielle, ERA is a practical, time saving platform that enhances engagement, supports curriculum delivery and brings English lessons to life.