English

Welcome to English

With A levels in English, Drama, History and French; a degree in Law and three seasons with the National Youth Theatre, I naturally embarked on a career in business! After twelve years, I took an extended career break to be at home with my four children. Discovering that two of them were dyslexic and struggling to read motivated me to become a teacher.

“If not reading then what?” -Michael Morpurgo.

Without the ability to read, children are unable to access so much of the world around them, to unlock their creativity, to reach their potential in life.

At Gateway, we place reading at the heart of our creative curriculum with a programme full of rich and engaging texts designed to support all subjects, meet the needs of all abilities and encourage children to become fluent, expressive, but most of all, independent readers. In English lessons, reading provides a springboard for the teaching of writing and grammar skills, covering a variety of genre, demonstrating context and giving valuable models from which the children can learn.

The ability to present thoughts and ideas eloquently, fluently and confidently takes time and practice and requires careful nurturing. Pupils at Gateway have many opportunities to participate in poetry recital, assemblies, plays and productions from Preschool through to Year 6, in order to develop these skills.

Writing and drama workshops, theatre visits, storytellers’ and World Book Day events are some of the ways we enrich the English Curriculum and bring it to life.

Our primary aim is to ensure that all children have a strong foundation in all aspects of English which will enable them to be successful in their life beyond Gateway.

Laura Kemp, Head of English