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This year has been a vibrant celebration of creativity, imagination and a deepening love of literature throughout the Junior School. Our girls have immersed themselves in a rich tapestry of exciting activities — from honouring beloved authors to crafting original stories and exploring complex ideas through poetry. A true highlight has been the flourishing success of our Reading for Pleasure initiative, which has sparked immense enthusiasm and helped cultivate a lifelong love of books.
Nurturing Foundational Skills & Engaging Our Community
During the Autumn Term, our Parent Talks offered a comprehensive insight into our holistic approach to English. Parents learned how our teaching of reading, writing and spelling is rooted in the latest evidence-based best practices. We showcased how homework thoughtfully balances engaging paper-based activities with effective online tasks, ensuring a well-rounded and impactful learning experience for every child.
A spectacular moment for the entire school was World Book Day. The MUGA transformed into a vibrant kaleidoscope of characters for our costume parade, as students and staff proudly showcased their favourite literary figures. We were thrilled to welcome acclaimed author and poet Joseph Coelho, whose online visit captivated and inspired students with his enthralling storytelling and poetry. Years 5 and 6 tested their literary wits in the National Literacy Trust’s Great Big Footy and Booky Quiz, while in the playground, “Guess the Number of Pages,” hosted by Ms Jupp and our enthusiastic Library Leaders, drew eager queues. Throughout the day, the school paused for “Drop Everything And Read” moments, fostering a calm, focused atmosphere steeped in stories. Our dedicated Library Leaders also shone, leading delightful story times for Reception classes, and assemblies across the school echoed with the power of books. Meanwhile, students in the library collaborated to create imaginative “big books.”
Our commitment to fostering a genuine love of reading extends beyond specific events. The “Reading Spotlight” posters have truly transformed our school’s reading culture. Thanks to dynamic QR codes (in KS2) and insightful reviews from children and staff, these displays actively promote higher-order thinking and spark spontaneous, informal book talk. Girls, parents and visitors alike have commented on how they introduce new authors and genres. This initiative has also provided teachers with invaluable insights into the girls’ reading preferences and a fresh awareness of contemporary authors resonating with them, enriching daily read-aloud sessions and fostering a lively literary buzz. This summer term, we’ve even seen the magic of reading blossom in the playground, as girls enthusiastically choose books for outdoor reading — a relaxed environment that undeniably fuels a love of stories.
A Journey Through Creative Writing and Rich Texts
Throughout the year, we have seamlessly woven creative writing into our curriculum, linking it meaningfully with other subjects and enriching our English learning experience at every stage. For example, Reception was captivated when Beegu (Alexis Deacon)’s spaceship crash-landed in their outdoor area, sparking curiosity, empathy and imaginative storytelling through letter writing. Year 1 found inspiration in Mini Grey’s Traction Man, creating deliciously villainous characters that culminated in a vibrant class assembly. Year 2 delved into Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine, which stimulated descriptive writing rich with powerful adjectives and alliteration, inspiring independent reading at home.
Year 3 journeyed through time and across continents — from ancient Greece and Egypt with The Egyptian Cinderella to the Stone Age in Stone Age Boy. Their curiosity was piqued by Ted Hughes’ The Iron Man and the mischievous Boggarts in The Spiderwick Chronicles, before finally meeting the remarkable heroines of Charlotte’s Web. Year 4 used Michael Morpurgo’s My Friend Walter as a springboard for diverse writing, including diary entries, information texts and vivid descriptive narratives. Their exploration of Varjak Paw also culminated in a memorable assembly.
Year 5 immersed themselves in a rich selection of core texts. Their study of Street Child was enhanced by a visit to the Ragged School Museum, connecting them to the real-life Jim Jarvis. The Girl Who Stole an Elephant inspired thrilling chase scene writing, while the long-time favourite Skellig allowed pupils to explore atmospheric poetry about its mysterious, suit-wearing angel.
Finally, Year 6 embarked on incredible journeys through time — braving mythical seas with The Odyssey, which sparked a philosophical autumn assembly; experiencing WWII through Emma Carroll’s Letters from the Lighthouse, creating insightful character profiles; and, inspired by Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, tackling complex concepts by researching animal migration — even connecting to Aristotle’s ancient ideas!
It truly has been a year of inspiring discoveries and profound growth in English. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and depth our girls have shown, laying a robust foundation for their future literary journeys.