Join War Horse
A self-paced one-week pre-recorded class for IGCSE/GCSE students
Printable resources
Worksheets and activity sheets to print for every lesson.
6 video lessons
Pre-recorded lessons to watch whenever suits — as many times as you like.
Watch any time
Instant access on any device — pause, rewind and rewatch at your own pace.
The book we’re reading
In the Devon countryside just before the First World War, a young farm horse named Joey is bought by a farmer and raised by his son, Albert, who trains him with patience and love. The two form a deep bond — but when war breaks out and money runs short, Joey is sold to the army and shipped to the front in France, torn away from the boy who swore he'd find him again.
Told entirely from Joey's own point of view, the story follows him through the chaos and horror of the war: charging in cavalry attacks, hauling guns and ambulances, passing between British, French and German hands, and witnessing kindness and cruelty on every side. As Albert grows old enough to enlist and go searching for him, Joey's journey becomes a moving story about loyalty, courage and the friendships that survive even war. It's a powerful, humane tale that lets readers see the futility and cost of conflict through the eyes of an innocent caught in the middle.
Week One
Intro to Michael Murpurgo Bio
Why he chooses to write about war?
Characters introduction
Dialogue / Excerpt from the stage show
Week Two
Conscience Alley: 'Should Ted have sold Joey?'
Characters continued.
Puppetry genius in the stage show
Director's interview from the National Theatre
Symbols
Week Three
How to get into the role of the horse
How the puppeteers played Joey
Military animals
Horses in War
Brief look of themes
Week Four
Advice from the writer on how to write good stories
Brief parallels explored and discussion of:
Black Beauty and Animal Farm
Themes organisers, finding evidence
Film of War Horse clip
Week Five
Micheal Morpurgo's thoughts on war
How the theatre crew learned about WWl
Using the book/ film: 'All quiet on the Western Front'
War Poetry
Communication in war time
Week Six
Student presentations on:
Conscientious objectors and Women in Wartime
War Time poetry part 2
'How to write great stories' by Michael Morpurgo
Private Peaceful (extracts)
Letters to and from home in WW1