English

At Berkhampstead, we bring English to life through diverse and engaging experiences, fostering a love of books and reading that forms a solid foundation for all other subjects.

Confidence

Confidence in reading, writing, speaking, and listening is nurtured through varied and stimulating activities designed to ignite a passion for language. Our Essential Letters and Sounds phonics programme from Reception builds a strong foundation, helping pupils become fluent and confident readers and writers. Our pupils’ achievements are regularly celebrated during assemblies.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
— Dr. Seuss, 'I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!'

Sparking Imagination

We inspire children’s imaginations while developing essential skills in comprehension, grammar and creative writing. While adhering to the National Curriculum, our independent approach allows pupils to go above and beyond, excelling in:

Speaking and Listening: Group discussions, presentations and drama activities.
Reading: Developing strategies to understand and analyze texts, gather information and appreciate diverse literature.
Writing: Crafting compositions, planning and drafting, applying punctuation and grammar rules, and mastering different styles of writing.

Special Days

Celebrating literature is a cherished tradition at Berkhampstead. A standout moment was when beloved author Jacqueline Wilson visited us, thanks to a winning story entry by one of our Year 4 pupils. The winning writer had the privilege of interviewing Jacqueline alongside her classmates, creating an unforgettable memory for all.

Author visits are a regular highlight, often coinciding with events such as World Book Day, (when we all dress up as our favourite book characters). We also take great pride in our connection with the Cheltenham Literature Festival, with regular outings providing further inspiration.

At Berkhampstead, we strive to instill a lifelong love of literature and language, ensuring every child’s English journey is rich, exciting and full of opportunity.

Reading at Berkhampstead

From the youngest age, our children are encouraged to find quiet spaces to sit and enjoy a book. This habit begins in Kindergarten and continues throughout the Prep Department, where daily reading for pleasure is a cherished part of the school day.

In lessons, carefully chosen set texts are used to develop children’s understanding of a variety of literary styles and genres. These books not only inspire and enhance their written work but also broaden their interests and introduce them to new and exciting forms of literature.

Books are a uniquely portable magic.
— Stephen King