Welcome to the English Department

A Poem for Autumn 2007

Brown, yellow, orange and red leaves fall,
From the old chestnut tree,
The brown peeling bark, like paint,
Like a rainbow tree as the sun shines,
Upon its star shaped leaves,
The hills show shade and light.

As the wind blows here and there,
Bonfire night as rockets shoot up into the air,
And golden rain falls from way up high,
Falling fast from a dark blue sky,
And great big bombers, so red - so fast!
Exploding into a noisy blast,
More fireworks shoot up towards the moon,
There will be another explosive sound very soon!

by Freya Pearson (Year 5)

English policy/vision

Language is a life skill. It is through language that we explore, organise and make sense of our experiences and develop skills essential in society.  The teaching of English embraces all aspects of language, both spoken and written. In the literate society in which we live, an ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in the written word, and to read a wide range of different texts, is essential if children are to achieve their full potential.

No skill is more crucial to the future of a child, or to a democratic and prosperous society, than literacy.” 

- Los Angeles Times

“Literacy is not a luxury, it is a right and a responsibility. If our world is to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century we must harness the energy and creativity of all our citizens.” 

- President Clinton on International Literacy Day, September 8th 1994

“Literacy arouses hopes, not only in society as a whole but also in the individual who is striving for fulfilment, happiness and personal benefit by learning how to read and write. Literacy... means far more than learning how to read and write... The aim is to transmit... knowledge and promote social participation.” 

- UNESCO Institute for Education

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