English

The English department aims to give every child the opportunity to read, write, speak and listen with lasting pleasure. We are also necessarily involved in preparing pupils for entry to independent schools at 11+ (year 6) and 13+ (Common Entrance and Public School Scholarship).

Throughout the school we foster a vigorous culture of reading for pleasure, underscored by sympathetic monitoring and suggestion in respect of each child. Our library is extensive and ever-growing; it is at the heart of reading and research during school hours. We are always increasing our stocks of fiction and plays for group and private reading. Children are also encouraged to seek out and purchase their own titles.

In addition to the rigours of grammar, spelling, punctuation and comprehension, creative writing in all forms is carefully tutored. Scholarship candidates in years 7 and 8 are taught the mechanics and appreciation of literary criticism.  All children read and write poetry as part of the curriculum.  Drama and debating are periodically offered as school hobbies during which time the fortnightly school newspaper is also produced. This has appeared for fifteen years and uses contributions from all.