From the first day at Broomwood Pre-Prep, we start learning phonics, encompassing reading, writing, handwriting and spelling. By the end of Reception, all our children will have begun to master these skills. Each class has its own books and reading corner and our well-stocked libraries allow children to explore a wide range of reading material. We encourage them to enjoy all genres, including non-fiction, fiction or poetry. All children may borrow books to take home.
It is vital that your child has a good command of English so that they can access the full curriculum as they move through Broomwood. Our pupils practise the reading and writing skills they have learnt, whilst studying topics in our Thematic Learning programme and we are proud of the standard they reach.
Our English curriculum is designed to instil a love of books in every boy, and we will guide your son to make enjoyable and challenging reading choices. We have a wonderful, well-stocked library, which boys visit on a regular basis.
We also place emphasis on persuasive writing techniques, and we have weekly spelling, punctuation and grammar lessons. This ensures that Broomwood boys are properly prepared for entrance examinations to senior schools. When they move on, our pupils are often commended for their articulate and erudite approach, across the curriculum.
We have invested in Accelerated Reader, a programme which helps us to monitor progress, whilst encouraging reading for pleasure. There are also regular debates and other opportunities for the boys to put their linguistic skills to use and we encourage them to take part in writing and poetry competitions, such as Dukes’s ‘Poetry Together’.
We have a busy and exciting English programme at Broomwood Prep – Girls and our goal is to instil a lifelong love of literature and language. On a practical level, we aim to empower girls to communicate effectively in speech and writing, with a secure understanding of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
The English teachers at Broomwood are passionate about their subject and have a wealth of experience. This ensures that pupils are well-prepared for any external exam required for entry to their chosen senior school. iPads enhance the teaching of English and are used frequently in lessons for research purposes and vocabulary work, and for sharing and discussing pupils’ work.
Girls study prose, poetry and non-fiction from a range of cultures and periods of history. This provides ample opportunities to deepen the pupils’ understanding of the world. In addition, cross-curricular links, such as teaching Judith Kerr’s ‘When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit’ alongside a history unit of work on World War Two, teach the pupils how to form opinions and respond with sensitivity, enabling them to become perceptive, kind and tolerant young women.