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English Department
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| Drama is used regularly to help children explore texts |
Above all, the English Department aims to make all children proficient and confident communicators who can listen, speak, read and write appropriately in different situations. English teaching at Winchester House School therefore covers the three National Curriculum attainment targets: Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. The more that children read and write for pleasure in their free time, the more speedy will be their progress in English. We therefore do all we can to foster a love of reading and writing throughout the school and to make the atmosphere of the classroom comfortable and engaging, as well as challenging for all. Where possible, we arrange events and outings to add zest to the daily grind. Recent events have included a visit by Adele Geras, a Public Speaking competition and a trip to Arabian Nights at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford for year 8. We also like to invite storytellers, book illustrators and visiting theatre companies wherever possible.
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| An alternative to the library |
The early stages
In the Winchester House nursery and throughout the Pre-prep school, 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.
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| A quiet read |
The syllabus
Through the Winchester House Pre-Prep school and up to Year 6 the children follow a syllabus based on the National Literacy Strategy, through which they experience a broad range of literary genres, in both reading and writing units. We are not, however, slaves to planning grids and make sure that children are given tasks which push them and satisfy them in equal measure. Drama is used regularly to encourage creative responses to their reading. By Year 6 lessons become more closely focused on the 11+ syllabus.
In our prep school (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.
Reading
We aim to make all children assured and experienced readers by the time they leave WHS. English lessons from year 3 upwards will include some work on a ‘class reader’ which often offers exciting opportunities for drama and role play as well as more text based work.
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| On a good day, an outdoor lesson can also help to practise voice projection |
In addition, supervised private reading sessions are provided at least three times each week for all children from year 3 to year 6 inclusive. These half hour slots before tea offer the opportunity for us to hear the children read and for them to enjoy some quiet, personal time in a busy day. We recognize that the key to helping children to enjoy reading is to match the child to the book, so advice is given where necessary on how to choose a suitable title. A huge range of fiction and non-fiction is available to all children through the Upper School Library which is stocked with a wide selection of classic and contemporary titles. It is geographically central to the school and is well-used by children from years 5-8 during breaks and free time.
Writing
The highlight of the year is the publication of Amor Scribendi – a magazine of poems and stories, written and illustrated by children from throughout the school during the previous year. This is produced by prep school children from year 8. In addition, there is a poetry writing competition in the summer term and an essay writing competition is to be introduced in the autumn term from 2010. We have also submitted work to national competitions as and when they arise and are compatible with our schemes of work.
English & Drama events: a typical year
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| Visiting Author Adele Geras |
October: Book Week – book fair, storytelling day, author visit, Pre-prep fancy dress parade (favourite book characters).
November: Poetry Recitation and Public Speaking competition (with an external adjudicator).
Luffield Festival debating day
December: Upper School drama production: Year 7
Pre-Prep Christmas Plays
Pre-Prep Pantomime Trip
January: Book Swap.
March: World Book Day assembly and visit by an author/illustrator
Year 3 & 4 Play
May: Poetry writing competition
July: Publication of creative writing magazine: Amor Scribendi, written and produced by the pupils.
Year 8 Leavers' play or revue.
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