ASK (Attain Secret Knowledge)

Jenni Summers

ASK is the podcast where we hope to help you 'Attain Secret Knowledge' with the assistance of our fantastically knowledgeable teachers from John Hampden Grammar School. Each episode we'll have three of our brightest sixth formers as panellists, along with a brilliantly knowledgeable guest teacher, to explore a topic that they love and hopefully you will too. Please follow us at @JHGSEnglish to stay up to date with all our podcast news.

  1. 13/01/2023

    ASK about Stanislavski w/ Mr Durrant (S4 Ep3)

    Welcome back to the ASK podcast, where we take to the stage with Mr Durrant, English and Drama teacher extraordinaire and former professional actor! We're attaining fascinating and secret knowledge this time on the life and works of theatre practitioner Stanislavski. It turns out, we have a lot of misconceptions about his 'System', so tune in to find out about this and much more. Also listen to find out some A list actors who Mr Durrant definitely doesn't rate! Mr Durrant is expertly questioned by our rigorous panellists, Josh M and Matthew B from Y12 - thanks gentlemen! Thanks to our wonderful producers too - especially the genius that is Tomas H in Year 12. Quiz questions - house points to earn. Just email mtill@jhgs.bucks.sch.uk with your answers! 1. Which famous playwright did Stanslavski help 're-launch' after an initial disaster in the first performance of his play?  2. Tell us what piece of acting in his career was Mr Durrant is most proud of? As ever, please share this podcast with friends and family, follow us via Jenni Summers on YouTube and follow @JHGSEnglish for regular updates on the pod and more. Thanks for listening. Mrs Summers, Mr Till and Miss Mitchell.

    32 min

  2. 17/11/2022

    ASK about all things Nuclear w/ Mr Sawdon (The Return) S4EP1

    Welcome back to a new series of ASK, featuring our first returning guest: Head of History, Mr Andrew Sawdon. This time we're attaining dark and secret knowledge on the world of nuclear, ranging from the history of nuclear power, through to the very real threat of nuclear weapons today, via Russia's Vladimir Putin. It's certainly not a light episode, but characteristically, Mr Sawdon gives us a whole range of fascinating insights. He's ably questioned by our rigorous panellists, Josh M and Matthew B from Y12 - thanks gentlemen! Quiz questions - house points to earn! 1. Which former Labour party leader said he would never use nuclear weapons as a retaliatory strike?  2. In the quick fire section, what was Mr Sawdon's favourite takeaway?  As ever, please share this podcast with friends and family, follow us via Jenni Summers on YouTube and follow @JHGSEnglish for regular updates on the pod and more. Thanks for listening. Mrs Summers and Mr Till.

    29 min

  3. 21/10/2022

    ASK about Malcolm X (Series 4 Ep 2 w/ Mr Khan)

    Welcome back to a brand new series of the ASK podcast, which this week features the dulcet tones of our very own Mr Khan. As both English Teacher and Head of Year 10,  you'd think he'd have his hands full, but he spared us a lunch time to talk all things Malcolm X. For some an inspiration, for others a figure of controversy, we really delve into the life and ideas of Malcolm X, so strap in and get listening. Thank you to our fabulous panellists: Harry W (Y11), Josh M (Y11) and Adi J (Y10) who ask perceptive, probing questions that really helped make this a fascinating episode. As per usual, give us a follow on @JHGSEnglish and via the 'Jenni Summers' YouTube account, to ensure you get all of the latest updates. House point questions (2 points for 2 correct answers): 1) Why did Malcolm want to be known as 'Malcolm X' rather than 'Malcolm Little'? 2) After his conversion to orthodox Islam, what did he change his name to? Send your entries to mtill@jhgs.bucks.sch.uk or smitchell@jhgs.bucks.sch.uk. **1. Apologies for any sound issues - this was produced using a laptop, rather than being left in the capable hands of Tomas and the recording studio team. 2. Yes, we're releasing episode 2 first. Episodes 1 and 3 should be with you very soon - they'll be properly edited!**

    29 min

  4. 13/09/2022 · BONUS

    ASK about Wood Engraving w/ Mrs Forge (Season 3 Bonus)

    Welcome back to a special bonus ASK podcast, to whet your appetites before the new series returns very soon. We were lucky to lure in with former JHGS Teacher of Art* Mrs Forge to talk about her not-so-secret passion about wood engraving. Thanks to Mrs Forge for responding in great and fascinating detail and to our fabulous panellists, Jack (now Y13) and Harry (now Y11) for their brilliant questions and observations. As ever, follow us @JHGSEnglish on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel if you haven't already. *She's gone to teach in Cairo, Egypt. We wish her the very best in her exciting new chapter!

    31 min

  5. 12/05/2022

    ASK us ANYTHING (GCSE Revision Edition, Part Two)!

    Welcome to our second incredibly special edition of the ASK podcast, with more nuggets for the Year 11s getting ready for their GCSEs - with both Language and Literature focused discussion! Thank you to the wonderful Olly, Matthew, Sarvang and James for posing such a great questions to Mr Till and Mrs Summers for this episode. As ever, follow us @JHGSEnglish on Twitter, subscribe on Spotify and YouTube and spread the word far and wide! Thank you for listening!

    19 min

  6. 12/05/2022

    ASK us Anything! (GCSE Revision, Part 1)

    Welcome to a really, very special edition of the ASK podcast, specifically aimed at Year 11 getting ready for their GCSEs! Thank you to the wonderful Olly, Matthew, Sarvang and James for posing such a great questions to Mr Till and Mrs Summers for this episode. Even better: we've broken it in two form time-sized chunks that your form tutors can play to you, so look out for part two very soon. As ever, follow us @JHGSEnglish on Twitter, subscribe on Spotify and YouTube and spread the word far and wide!

    16 min

  7. 02/05/2022 · BONUS

    ASK us ANYTHING (GCSE Revision Edition, Part One)!

    Welcome to a really, very special edition of the ASK podcast, specifically aimed at Year 11 getting ready for their GCSEs! Thank you to the wonderful Olly, Matthew, Sarvang and James for posing such a great questions to Mr Till and Mrs Summers for this episode. Even better: we've broken it in two form time-sized chunks that your form tutors can play to you, so look out for part two very soon. As ever, follow us @JHGSEnglish on Twitter, subscribe on Spotify and YouTube and spread the word far and wide!

    16 min

  8. 19/03/2022

    ASK Podcast Season 3 Episode 1 Climate Change with Mr Moussavi

    Welcome back to an enthralling new episode of the ASK podcast, where we face up to daunting challenges posed by climate change, and the reasons to be hopeful, with Mr Moussavi (Head of Geography at John Hampden Grammar School.) Thanks to Mr Moussavi for responding with panache to our fabulously knowledgeable panellists, Shane M (Y13), Daniel P (Y13) and Ben E (Y12).   Remember to follow us on @JHGSEnglish @JHGSHW and to subscribe to this channel to make sure you get all of the latest updates.   House Point Challenge: What is Mr Moussavi's answer to the question 'What is your favourite musical?' in the quick fire round? (Email your answer to jsummers@jhgs.bucks.sch.uk)

    30 min
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About

ASK is the podcast where we hope to help you 'Attain Secret Knowledge' with the assistance of our fantastically knowledgeable teachers from John Hampden Grammar School. Each episode we'll have three of our brightest sixth formers as panellists, along with a brilliantly knowledgeable guest teacher, to explore a topic that they love and hopefully you will too. Please follow us at @JHGSEnglish to stay up to date with all our podcast news.

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