Enborne Church Of England Primary School
English
Why study English?
“The value of English in the curriculum? What can I say? Without English, nothing. And without good English, nothing very well.” Anne Fine, Author
“Studying English literature at my school was my first, and probably my biggest, step towards mental freedom and independence. It was like falling in love with life.” Ian McEwan, Novelist
The rationale for teaching English
English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society; pupils, therefore, who do not learn to speak, read and write fluently and confidently are effectively disenfranchised.
