English is at the heart of the educational and personal development of all pupils. Literacy skills and reading are key components of the curriculum throughout the school. We ensure each child learns to read, both critically and for pleasure, across a wide spectrum of materials and media, and is able to express themselves accurately and coherently both on paper and orally.

We aim to equip our pupils to express opinions, articulate feelings and formulate appropriate responses to increasingly complex instructions. We ensure pupils can read a varied selection of texts, whilst gaining an increased level of fluency, accuracy, independence and understanding. Allied to these oral skills, emphasis is placed on written work: forming letters correctly, leading to a fluent and legible handwriting style with pupils becoming increasingly aware of the conventions of writing, including grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Pupils learn to write in different contexts and for different purposes and audiences, and to engage with literature both as a reader and creative writer. Formal work is illustrated and enlivened by a programme of visits to the theatre, visits from authors and writing workshops. 

By Years 6, 7 and 8 the general standard of independent creative writing shows greater depth understanding, mastery of vocabulary, and is a joy to read.

Drama is taught in its own right but collaborative work with Drama teachers, both in school and in the school’s Youth Theatre Company, is also an integral part of the English curriculum.