English
ETHOS:
President Bush once said, “You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.”
The English Department at Arnold House is aiming for slightly more.
AIMS:
The broad aims of the English Department are to:
• Encourage the emotional and spiritual development of the students through reading, reflection, thinking, debate, writing research and drama.
• Develop a love of reading, introducing students to a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, both contemporary and classic, from familiar and unfamiliar cultures.
• Encourage critical thinking about both the written word and other media.
• Develop students’ imagination through a range of creative writing exercises.
• Enable students to write accurately and appropriately.
• Foster the habit of independent reading.
• Enable students to express themselves orally with confidence.
• Encourage the use of ICT.
CURRICULUM:
We wholeheartedly agree with the introduction to the English National Curriculum, which states:
‘Language … is the key to developing in young people the capacity to express themselves with confidence, to think logically, creatively and imaginatively and to developing a deep understanding of literature and the wider culture…It equips all pupils for the world in which they will live and work - a world which places a high premium on the written and spoken word, where reading and writing permeate every aspect of life, and where pleasures often derive from good discussion, excellent books and the power of writing.’
To this end, boys at Arnold House will:
• Follow the broad outlines of the National Literacy Strategy so that they are exposed to a wide variety of texts and the principles of spelling, punctuation and grammar are regularly taught and revised.
• Be encouraged to express themselves with confidence and fluency through oral work and drama.
• Be prepared for Key Stage examinations, Common Entrance, Entrance examinations and Scholarships.
• Have the opportunity to work with the Librarian to encourage regular and effective use of the library.
• Be encouraged to produce well-presented work, both handwritten and word-processed.
• Be shown how to develop legible, attractive cursive handwriting.
• Be set tasks which involve the use of ICT for research purposes.