Building confidence and connection through speech and listening

Children are taught to speak with clarity, confidence and purpose, whether sharing ideas with peers or presenting to a group. Listening is equally important: students learn to focus, respond and engage thoughtfully. These skills lay the groundwork for meaningful learning across subjects, fostering collaboration and emotional intelligence. Through drama, storytelling and discussion, children develop expressive language, social awareness and a genuine love of conversation. Speaking and listening underpin literacy development and help children become confident communicators within their community and beyond.

Reading for pleasure

Reading at Bedales Pre-prep is joyful, purposeful and rich in variety. Children explore a wide range of texts - from classic stories and poetry to nonfiction and multimedia - fuelling imagination and analytical thinking. We teach phonics through a multi-sensory approach, with Read Write Inc as a core tool, and guide children towards fluency, comprehension and vocabulary building. By studying text patterns, structures and themes, children grow into curious, enthusiastic readers. The ultimate goal is to nurture a lifelong love of reading, opening doors to new worlds, ideas and opportunities.

Developing writing skills

Children develop writing skills through inspiring prompts, real-world connections and creative exploration. They learn to construct accurate, engaging narratives and nonfiction texts, refining their style and purpose as they progress. Grammar and punctuation are introduced gradually - from capital letters and full stops to more complex sentence structures. Spelling strategies support recognition of frequent but irregular words, helping children read and write confidently. Handwriting lessons promote correct formation, grip and posture, and students begin to use joined script with ease. Writing empowers students to express individuality with precision and flair.

Technology and digital literacy as tools for creative expression

Digital skills are woven seamlessly into literacy learning. Children use iPads, sound recorders, cameras and interactive whiteboards to enrich storytelling, research, and communication. Whether creating multimedia presentations or drafting work on computers, students learn to combine words and visuals with impact. ICT encourages experimentation, resilience and computational thinking - children explore, evaluate and adapt their work using age-appropriate software and online tools. Safety online is embedded throughout. By integrating technology meaningfully, we prepare learners to thrive in a connected world, expressing themselves confidently in both print and digital formats.

Literacy across the curriculum

Literacy isn’t confined to English lessons - it is a foundation for learning across subjects. Children apply their reading, writing and digital skills when researching history, recording science observations or designing projects in art and design. They draft ideas, capture images, share findings and build persuasive arguments. ICT complements this process, supporting exploration and presentation in innovative ways. By embedding literacy throughout their school experience, children deepen understanding, broaden communication and strengthen their identity as learners. This cross-curricular approach equips students with tools for lifelong success in education and beyond.