English is at the core of the curriculum at Gatehouse School and our aim is to instil a love of the subject and develop confident and articulate readers, writers and speakers.
Our objective is to develop independent and passionate readers who utilise our comprehensive reading schemes, library facilities and author events. We encourage our pupils to be inquisitive learners and to develop a variety of learning skills; one day they may be using the IT facilities to record a radio programme and another day they may be acting out part of an English text or engrossed in a Shakespearean play.
At Gatehouse, children confidently share their valuable ideas and opinions. We are proud of our success in developing language skills by providing every child with the opportunities to do this not only in their lessons, but through our numerous productions, public-speaking events, poetry performances, School Council, House system and assemblies.
Gatehouse pupils leave with the ability to write creatively, technically and with the confidence to explore writing in different styles and for different purposes, developing their independence and imagination as they go.
Our Year 6 pupils are prepared for their 11+ Entrance Examinations and we aim to equip each child with the best possible start to Year 7.
At Gatehouse, we place reading at the heart of the curriculum, recognising it as the foundation for learning and a source of enjoyment that will continue with our pupils. From Nursery through to Upper Juniors, our staff work collaboratively to ensure a consistent, cohesive approach that supports every child’s journey as a reader. We nurture a love of books whilst building the essential skills needed to read with confidence, understanding and imagination. By working together across all year groups, Gatehouse has a seamless progression that enables every child to flourish as both a learner and a reader.
At Gatehouse School, we believe writing is a vital skill for communication, creativity and self-expression. From the early years through to Upper Juniors, children are taught to write for a wide range of purposes – from imaginative stories to factual reports and articles. As their skills develop, they learn to adapt their writing to suit different audiences and styles, whilst also being encouraged to use their creativity to bring their ideas to life. This progression is supported consistently across the school, both in the classroom and beyond, so that every child grows in confidence as a writer with a voice of their own.
Handwriting is a key building block for learning. At Gatehouse School, the children develop clear handwriting, this supports them as their skills grow throughout their time at school. By refining their handwriting, children grow in confidence and are able to focus on expressing their ideas.
Through teaching spelling in a structured way, children are able to recognise patterns, learn rules and apply them in their work. Spelling is an essential skill that supports confident writing spelling builds accuracy and independence in written communication.
Spoken language is central to learning and communication in Gatehouse classrooms. We encourage children to express themselves clearly, collaborate with others and take part in discussions with confidence. These skills support their learning across the curriculum and prepare them for life beyond the classroom.