Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience.”

Rudine Bishop

English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. We believe that a high-quality education in English will teach pupils to think critically and imaginatively, and to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society; through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development.

Our English curriculum is developed to equip our pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for pleasure. Only by immersing our pupils in rich reading materials can they develop their own language capacities – the depth of their vocabulary, their handling of grammatical structures, their comprehension skills, their ability to write with a strong voice, and with confidence and genuine expertise.