Curriculum: English

Language is the principal means by which we think, define what we experience and feel, interpret the world in which we live, and above all, communicate with others.

We believe that the development of pupils’ language should be continuous, progressive and meaningful throughout their schooling. We are committed to providing a range and variety of opportunities for boys to develop their effective use of language. Competence in English grows through an interaction of speaking, listening, reading and writing and the boys need to respond to appropriate forms, techniques and styles of the English language.

English is a vital, intrinsically linked part of everyday living. It is fundamental to all aspects of life and with this in mind we endeavour to ensure that our boys develop a positive and enthusiastic attitude to writing, a love of reading and are proactive listeners and confident speakers.

We aim to provide our boys with an English curriculum which will produce individuals who are creative, independent, inquisitive, enquiring, confident and above all literate.

We provide our boys with lots of opportunities to use and develop their English skills e.g. our older boys write short stories for a younger audience.  As part of their D.T. lessons they make a book of their story.  They then read them to the Early Years and Infant departments.  Grammar is the foundation of all we do in our English work and so emphasis is placed on reinforcing and consolidating grammar skills throughout our school.  Our boys become competent, confident readers and writers.

In the Junior Department we use the Ginn Reading Scheme.  Independent reading is used once the boys can read fluently and have good levels of understanding.  David Webb, a published children’s author, has visited our school on a number of occasions.  He has worked with the upper school to develop their story openings and to encourage good character description in their writing and with Years 3 and 4 and Infant 1 and 2 providing half termly workshops.

We use Stockport library services.  Their mobile library visits us once a term.  They provide us with excellent resources for our class libraries and for our project work.

All these opportunities help us to provide our boys with an English Curriculum which will produce individuals who are creative, independent, inquisitive, enquiring, confident and above all, literate.

Early Years and Infant Department

In the Early Years and Infant department we believe that Language and Literacy are fundamental to the overall development of the children and their access to all aspects of the curriculum.

The Foundation Stage follows the E.Y.F.S. curriculum guidance and works towards the Early Learning Goals aiming to meet the goal statements by the end of the Reception year.

In the Early years the daily routine includes planned and spontaneous activities.

• We provide the children with a wealth of opportunities to develop and experience speaking and listening.
• Gross and fine motor skills are developed through play and handwriting activities.
• We share and enjoy a range of rhymes, songs, stories and books.
• We set up interactive displays and provide a print rich environment with opportunities for oral language and written communication.
• Focus activities teach children early communication, language and literacy skills.

In the Infant Department the teaching of literacy includes:

• Speaking and listening activities.
• Word level work with explicit teaching of phonics and spelling.
• Sentence level work to develop grammatical awareness and punctuation skills.
• Text level work to develop comprehension, composition skills and understanding of print.
• Letter formation and handwriting skills are taught.
• Immersion in a print rich environment that promotes a reading culture and children’s written and oral communication.