Language lies at the heart of developing in our pupils the capacity to express themselves confidently, logically and imaginatively.  To learn well, boys must be inspired, challenged and engaged and for these reasons, we work together to provide clear and ambitious goals for all boys in their English studies.  

Boys have access to a wide range of literary material and are encouraged to evaluate their own critical writing about texts, commenting on the authorial perspectives offered on individuals, community and society in texts from different cultures and historical periods.

Pupils are taught to plan, draft and re-read work to anticipate the effect on the reader and revise style and structure, as well as accuracy with this in mind.  Throughout their time in lower school, boys engage closely with:

Boys are required to review and extend their own strategies for locating, appraising and extracting relevant information, synthesising data from a range of sources and then evaluating the relevance, reliability and validity of information available through print, ICT and other media sources.

Boys are taught to know and use effectively the vocabulary, grammar and stylistic conventions of the specific writing forms, adapting the stylistic conventions of the non-fiction text types to fit different audiences and purposes.

Boys embark on a range of individual and group activities that extend their development as speakers in a range of different contexts. 

During their English studies, boys are taught a range of drama techniques, including work in role, to explore issues, ideas and meanings.  In their study of Shakespeare texts, for example, they may develop and compare different interpretations of scenes or plays.  Boys are also encouraged to write critical evaluations of performances they have seen or in which they have participated, identifying the contributions of the writer, director and actors.