Academics

Offering pupils the best standards of English learning  

At the Ecole Jacques Prévert, we are passionate about pupils complementing their excellent French education with a high standard of English teaching. The children have a wonderfully balanced curriculum of language-based skills and wide-ranging literature - from poetry and narrative writing to persuasive writing and formal letters (and everything in between!). 

Passion for teaching and learning

Our curriculum is underpinned by a rigorous approach to grammar and spelling, with phonics taught systematically from CP to CE2.  By Cours Moyen (CM), the children are able to write to persuade and inform, confidently using figurative devices such as metaphors and pathetic fallacy to engage the reader.  Pupils formally read and write in English from CE1, where they learn to build on simple sentence writing by using adjectives, similes and a range of adverbs to enrich their writing. All children regularly listen to and read a plethora of classic and modern fiction and poetry in order to enable them to answer questions where they fact-find, infer meaning and deduce the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary. 

English teaching in the Early Years

We understand the importance of an effective start to a child’s education. We offer a fun, stimulating and caring language-learning environment, promoting “active” learning and allowing the children space to grow the independence and confidence needed to take on new challenges. We aim to foster a love of learning English within a broad and balanced curriculum adopting a modern and innovative approach, igniting an enthusiasm for learning English that will stay with them for life. The curriculum emphasises learning through play and exploration of new experiences. Activities are planned around the children’s needs and interests as they develop skills to become confident learners. Pupils are encouraged to explore their ideas, make links and ask questions. In Moyenne Section (MS), children learn through enquiry-based topics, designed around engaging themes such as People Who Help Us, Minibeasts, Circus and many more. In Grande Section (GS), children are taught English through traditional stories and through bringing stories to life through role play, re-telling using Pie Corbett’s story mapping and providing cross curricular activities to link to every story. For example, STEM building activities, such as selecting appropriate materials to build a parachute for Jack and the Beanstalk.

English teaching from CP to CM2

The children have a wonderfully balanced curriculum of language-based skills and wide-ranging literature- from poetry and narrative writing to persuasive writing and formal letters (and everything in between!).  Our curriculum is underpinned by a rigorous approach to grammar and spelling with phonics taught systematically from CP to CE2. 
In CP, children learn how to read and write through a highly engaging phonic programme called Story time Phonics. It teaches phonics through well-known stories, songs and play based activities.  In CP, children are taught science, positional/time language and PE in English. These subjects are taught in collaboration with the French teachers.
From CE1 onwards, there is a more structured approach to English lessons. In CE1 and CE2, they learn to write for a variety of purposes and follow Read, Write Inc phonic programme. Geography and Science are taught along with the French form teachers to encourage a bilingual shared curriculum. In CM1 and CM2, the children are able to write to persuade and inform, confidently using figurative devices such as metaphors to engage the reader in their writing. All children regularly listen to and read a plethora of classic and modern fiction, poetry and non-fictions texts in lessons.

Here is an English coverage overview.

         


Streaming for Personalised Learning

From CP, our pupils are streamed to ensure targeted learning. All children are supported and challenged such that they can make optimum progress in a supportive, small-group and targeted setting using the latest learning methods and technology. Home learning consolidates learning through engaging challenges. We regularly assess the children to ensure tailored support and stretch.

Preparation for life beyond Jacques Prévert

Through their English learning, children foster a love of literature and language, which equips them with an excellent level and a lifelong love of English. Many of our children opt to enter the “International Section” at the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle and our success rates for this are exceedingly high. Due to the passion we instill, many choose to pursue the British Section at secondary school too.

The English Team

Our teachers are subject specialists who share a love of English language and literature and a passion for seeing pupils enjoy their learning, thrive in their progress and succeed in and beyond Jacques Prévert.

Elisabeth LOWERY is the school’s Head of English and Claire WEBER is Deputy Head with responsibility for safeguarding, pastoral care and language learning.

> Meet the team