English
The oral language programme is designed to develop the children's competence, precision and confidence in speaking and listening and to enable them to express their ideas effectively in a variety of situations.
A strong emphasis is placed on reading, since good reading technique is essential for progress in all subject areas. We use a combination of sight reading and phonic methods, and individual reading assessment tests are administered on a yearly basis to ensure that each child is progressing at a satisfactory rate. The reading material covers a wide range of rich and stimulating texts, both fiction and non-fiction, so that the children will develop the ability to read, understand and respond to all types of writing and will learn information skills for the purpose of study.
The children follow a structured programme of phonics and formal language (Grammar, Usage, Spelling) and individual records are kept, ensuring that each child's progress is carefully monitored. Creative writing also forms an important part of the course and each child is encouraged to express himself freely and fluently in a wide variety of writing styles.