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English

English results are above average. Ofsted 2008

Our English lessons at Trevelyan are composed of an integrated programme of speaking and listening, reading and writing.

Speaking and Listening

We give our pupils opportunities to talk for a range of purposes, including developing and explaining ideas, reading aloud, telling stories and describing events. They are encouraged to express themselves confidently and clearly and to listen carefully to the teacher and fellow pupils. We hope that they will develop the ability to explain what they think after listening to the opinions of others and to deal politely with opposing points of view.

Reading

Children are helped to develop and widen their reading skills in a structured way. We have a scheme for the children to select books under supervision, suited to their interests and ability. There are also reading lessons designed specifically to monitor each child's progress and to allow time for discussion between teacher and child.

All our pupils are assessed early in year 5 in case they are having any problems with reading. We believe that these need to be identified early in their career at Trevelyan and appropriate support given where necessary.

We have a comprehensive school library, a wide and varied collection of class readers and other resources and each year 5 classroom has its own class library. Pupils are encouraged to read progressively more challenging and demanding texts and our aim is that they should become enthusiastic, independent and reflective readers who read for their own interest and pleasure and for information. We teach them to consider in detail the quality and depth of what they read and to respond imaginatively to the literature.

Writing

Pupils are given every encouragement to develop their writing skills. We focus on correct use of punctuation and spelling, reinforcing and extendeding the grammatical structures which have been taught in first schools.

All children are encouraged to use cursive writing and help is available for those who have not previously learned a joined-up style or who need to improve it.

We give opportunities to write for varied purposes and to use this as a means of developing, organising and communicating ideas.

Our pupils are taught to plan their written work and they are encouraged to revise and proof-read it in order to prepare a neat, correct and clear final copy.

Broadening the Curriculum

We are lucky to be able to welcome a variety of visitors who are professionals in their own field, which widens the pupils' experience and appreciation of various forms of literature.

This includes

• visits by theatre groups whose performances enhance the children's understanding of plays and literature they are studying.
• story-tellers who not only entertain the children, but explain to them the techniques of oral story-telling and give them the opportunity to practise this themselves.
• and workshops on poetry appreciation.

In Years 7 and 8, we supplement English with drama lessons.