Figure 1.--The prep school program includes a major enphasis on English and literacy. The children at all levels are encouraged to read.
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Figure 1.--The prep school program includes a major enphasis on English and literacy. The children at all levels are encouraged to read. |
English is the key subject in the curriculum. It is the central element in the core curriculum. It is the single most important. Literacy is a very high priority for the younger children. And the emphasis on literacy continues throughout the form levels. Most children arrive at prep schools by age 8 with basic reading skills. Many come from the attached pre-preps and thus are well prepared ti begin the prep school program. Those students still having difficulty are provided specialist help with reading. Great care is taken to identify children with reading difficulties and quickly address them. Reading and writing exercizes as well as spelling and hand writing are designed to build English skills. The children are at all levels are strongly encouraged to read. Grammar does not have the prominance it once had, but the children get a good bit more grammar than is the case in the state system. Methods have evolved over time, but the schools give a very heavy emphasis to basis English skills. The English program takes into account the requirements of GCSE.
