English Language and Literacy

The English language provides the main instrument for learning throughout the school curriculum. Through reflection and discussion of their knowledge children will develop an increased awareness of how to communicate and how adults and others use language. We aim to give children the skills necessary to express themselves orally and in writing with clarity and purpose; to present their ideas and information with accuracy of language and in an interesting way.

Speaking and Listening

We aim to encourage children to communicate fluently and articulately, with clarity and purpose, and in an interesting and varied manner. Similarly, they are encouraged to listen to and appreciate other speakers, with all their variations of tone, vocabulary, dialect and content.

Reading

We put great emphasis throughout the school on the importance of reading skills and the use and application of books. We hope to evoke in children that reading is an enjoyable and entertaining pursuit as well as a source of information.

We expect children to read at home, either individually or sharing with an adult.

Writing

Our aim is to give the children the skills and opportunities to present their ideas in a variety of ways. We encourage them to write in different contexts and for different audiences with real feeling and empathy. Children will be given the skills to understand and use the structure of types of writing. A great emphasis is placed on spelling and punctuation. The children will have weekly spelling lists to learn. Handwriting is taught formally to all ages in the school. We feel that it is most important that children develop clear, fluent handwriting as soon as possible.