Welcome!
Welcome to my website. This page is intended for pupils and parents at the one and only Greenwich Free School to revise the key skills we learn about in English.
My Philosophy
As you'll know, we're big on philosophy at GFS; I thought I'd outline what I believe will make our pupils the best possible English scholars they can be.
Here is a quote from Alexander Pope that sums up my thoughts on teaching English language.
"True ease in writing comes from art, not chance. As those move easiest who have learnt to dance."
All too often, grammar, punctuation, and style are not given proper attention at secondary level. Many assume, given the introduction of the literacy hour in primary schools, that the technical aspects of how to write are taken care of by the time the kids leave primary school. Others suggest that focusing on hard and fast 'rules' of the English language can stifle learners and prohibit them from writing at all.
I am an English teacher, an English graduate, and I love reading. Despite this, I learn new things about the English language on a daily basis - hopefully, so do the pupils at GFS! We never stop learning about language and so we will continue to teach the finer points of technical English, alongside our literature studies, all the way through secondary school. I like to call the pupils wordsmiths - they take pride in their use of language and they're happy to make mistakes, analyse and develop their language collaboratively.
So I think writing is like painting: you have to practice it in order to improve. Reading counts. Do as much of it as possible/encourage your kids to read, read, read. Additionally, I want to share with you some of the key skills we have been learning so that pupils can revise at home or use this as a point of reference. Parents, I'm sure you'll appreciate the chance to see some of the areas of focus so you can re-enforce the learning that has been going on in the classroom.
May Half Term: check out the latest blog updates coming over the half term. All blog entries cover material that will be in the summer exams.
Here is a quote from Alexander Pope that sums up my thoughts on teaching English language.
"True ease in writing comes from art, not chance. As those move easiest who have learnt to dance."
All too often, grammar, punctuation, and style are not given proper attention at secondary level. Many assume, given the introduction of the literacy hour in primary schools, that the technical aspects of how to write are taken care of by the time the kids leave primary school. Others suggest that focusing on hard and fast 'rules' of the English language can stifle learners and prohibit them from writing at all.
I am an English teacher, an English graduate, and I love reading. Despite this, I learn new things about the English language on a daily basis - hopefully, so do the pupils at GFS! We never stop learning about language and so we will continue to teach the finer points of technical English, alongside our literature studies, all the way through secondary school. I like to call the pupils wordsmiths - they take pride in their use of language and they're happy to make mistakes, analyse and develop their language collaboratively.
So I think writing is like painting: you have to practice it in order to improve. Reading counts. Do as much of it as possible/encourage your kids to read, read, read. Additionally, I want to share with you some of the key skills we have been learning so that pupils can revise at home or use this as a point of reference. Parents, I'm sure you'll appreciate the chance to see some of the areas of focus so you can re-enforce the learning that has been going on in the classroom.
May Half Term: check out the latest blog updates coming over the half term. All blog entries cover material that will be in the summer exams.