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English

The use of language is a vital skill which influences progress in every area of the curriculum. English as a subject cannot be taught in isolation, but as the key subject in the curriculum it must be clear in its aims and objectives.

The fundamental aim of English teaching at Lockers is that ‘all pupils should be taught to express themselves clearly in both speech and writing and to develop their reading skills. They should be taught to use grammatically correct sentences and to spell and punctuate in order to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.’

These aims are achieved in a variety of ways in English teaching within the school; indeed variety is essential if the teaching of the subject is to mirror life and provide an atmosphere in which children want to question and to learn.

In the classroom, high standards of effort, presentation and accuracy are encouraged, these being rewarded in a number of diverse and unique ways, ultimately culminating in prizes for effort and attainment at the end of the term. As well as reward for good work, based on assessment of progress, effort and proficiency in the main areas of the curriculum, boys are given plenty of opportunity to augment their class studies in many situations in their time at the school. Pupils are encouraged to participate in all these areas as much as possible both inside and outside the classroom, the latter through the school’s extra-curricular programmes, for example: Junior and Senior plays, the Poetry Competition, formal debates and the annual “Any Questions Time”, positions of responsibility (e.g. librarianship), reading in chapel and on other occasions (such as assembly).

In the classroom a rich mixture of activities are employed to give the boys the greatest possible imaginative nourishment. ‘Chalk and talk’ is occasionally necessary, but mostly group activities and teaching techniques allow for the organic development of the main skills. Repetition, apart from in essential areas such as spelling, is generally disapproved of in favour of a distinctly pupil-orientated method. Boys will write a great deal, but only in response to a wide range of textual stimuli, as well as most other media. To progress and achieve and to enjoy the process of progression and achievement are the foundations of the department’s ethos.