The Curriculum in Detail
English Department

English teaching at WHS covers the three National Curriculum attainment targets: Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing; and seeks to supplement these with Drama, extra-curricular activities, visits and trips.

An alternative to the library

The early stages
In the Nursery and throughout the Pre-prep, the children share poetry and stories every day, as we try to instil a love of literature from the very beginning. We use the 'Jolly Phonics' system of teaching letter sounds, moving on to the Nelson spelling and handwriting systems. We focus on enabling pupils to read and write independently as soon as they can, so that they can access the rest of the school curriculum easily and with confident enjoyment.

A quiet read

The syllabus
Through the Pre-Prep and up to Year 6 the children follow a syllabus based on the National Literacy Strategy, through which they experience a very broad range of literary genres, as both reading and writing units. By Year 6 this becomes more closely focused on the 11+ syllabus.

In Years 7 & 8, we follow a syllabus either for Common Entrance or Scholarship at 13+, although we continue to offer as broad a range of literary activities as possible.

Performance Drama
Each year group in the pre-prep produces their own musical Christmas play, and these combine to form a highly enjoyable performance in the School Hall in early December. Every child has a role and grows in self-confidence as they rehearse for that great occasion.

Throughout the school year, Years 3, 4 and 5 have opportunities to display their talents in many aspects of Music, Dance and Drama. From solo instrumental performances to class dances and dramatic sketches, they can demonstrate their achievements. Either Year 5 or Year 6 will put on a production, often in the Michaelmas term. Years 3 and 4 generally combine to perform a play in the Lent term.

Sometimes the major production is a Leavers' play by Year 8: last year we staged 'Oh What a Lovely War!'. On other occasions we have mixed up children from Years 6, 7 and 8 to produce a School Play, as we did in 'Grease' or 'Bugsy Malone'. This year, Year 7 performed 'Lords of Creation' by John Wiles at Christmas and Year 8 will treat us to an evening of comedy sketches as their Leavers' production in the Summer term.

The girls rehearsing Bugsy

Classroom Drama
Many teachers will use role-play as a teaching tool within another subject lesson. Children also have a timetabled class drama lesson every week

Speech and Drama
Children have the opportunity to receive coaching towards LAMDA grade exams, from a specialist Speech and Drama teacher.

English & Drama events: a typical year
September: Year 8 Theatre trip to London: a workshop and tour of the Globe Theatre, followed by a West End show.

October: Book Week – book fair, storytelling day, author visit, Pre-prep
fancy dress parade (favourite book characters).

November: Poetry Recitation competition (with an external adjudicator).
Year 8 Public Speaking Team to ‘Youth Speaks’ competition

December: Upper School drama production: Year 5, 6 or 7
Pre-Prep Christmas Plays
Pre-Prep Pantomime Trip

January: Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 to Birmingham Old Rep Theatre production.

March: World Book Day assembly and reading events
Year 3 & 4 Play

May: Poetry writing competition

July: Year 8 Leavers' play or revue.