In studying English, pupils will develop skills in three key areas: Reading, Writing and Speaking & Listening. This helps to enable them to express themselves creatively and imaginatively, and to communicate with others effectively – for communication lies at the heart of English as a subject. 

In the English department, teachers discuss work with pupils, guide their efforts, ask and answer questions, observe, help, encourage and challenge. In addition, we mark and review written and other kinds of work – including the use of ICT, which is greatly encouraged. Through these activities, we are constantly finding out about pupil capabilities and achievements. This knowledge then informs our plans for future work.

Pupils from EYFS, through Pre-Prep and on into the main Prep School will learn to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories (every term has a central text for each year group, from Year 3 onwards), poems and drama, as well as non-fiction and media texts. The study of English helps pupils understand how language works, by looking at its patterns, structures and origins. Using this knowledge, pupils can begin to choose and adapt what they say and write in different situations.