English

“English is the language of the future, the language of the computer. English is the most important tool you’ll ever need, no matter what career you choose. You have the right to English. Make it your right!”

Benjamin Zephaniah, Poet,Writer, Actor, TV & Radio Presenter

Our overall aim is to enable pupils to understand language and to use it with confidence. Children develop their communication skills by listening to others, by expressing opinions, and by reflecting upon and describing events, feelings, places and situations, which may be real or imaginary. Games, songs, rhymes, poetry, stories, drama and play are used to encourage and expand their abilities.

We teach reading using the Oxford Reading Tree series as our core scheme.We aim to help the children become confident and independent readers within an atmosphere of love and respect for books. In addition to well–stocked class libraries, the central school library has a wide selection of books available to all children for their enjoyment and research, some of which may be borrowed for home reading.

The normal school day provides many opportunities for different kinds of writing. These include stories, news, captions, labels, diaries, invitations, letters, poems and a range of other creative writing. Children are taught to structure their written work carefully and encouraged to redraft if necessary. We teach children the skills of handwriting and encourage them to develop a fluent, legible style. They also have access to computers for word processing.We place great emphasis on the quality and presentation of all written work.

Children are introduced to the most common spelling patterns in the Reception Year. As they become familiar with the conventions of writing, they are taught to spell words for themselves and to use dictionaries and other reference material. The importance of correct grammar and punctuation is emphasised in individual discussion, group and class teaching.