English Department News

There’s a kind of hush all over the world tonight….”

("There's a Kind of Hush" is a popular song written by Les Reed and Geoff Stephens which was a hit in 1967 for Herman's Hermits and again in 1976 for The Carpenters.)

Visitors to the Senior School this week might have been surprised by a change in the way our English classes are beginning.  Rather than the usual practice of taking class roles, asking students to take their seats and the bustle of unpacking bags our English classrooms are instead, havens of quiet concentration.

2019 will see a renewed focus on promoting a culture of reading amongst our students and making the commitment to providing every student in the Senior School with the daily opportunity to immerse themselves in language is just the first step in this process.  Every English lesson for students in Years 7-12 now begins with 10 minutes of silent, sustained reading for both students and teachers alike.

Over the years, silent reading has evolved into a number of different names and definitions but at Girton Grammar we are utilising the traditional model i.e. an in-classroom reading activity in which students are given a certain amount of time to silently read self-selected material for pleasure or information as a way of cultivating a love of reading without assessment, skills work, monitoring, or instruction from the teacher. Research has shown that when students are given choices in selecting texts, they are more motivated to read. More motivation leads to more time spent on-task reading.

The staff in the English Department are very keen to provide opportunities for our students to access a wide range of vocabulary, erudite expression and correct punctuation.  It is our hope that apart from the obvious delights of time spent immersed in literature that the flow on effect will be seen in terms of improvement in comprehension, the broadening of vocabulary and enhanced writing skills.

Mrs Elizabeth Morgan

HEAD OF ENGLISH