Writing

Throughout their time at Pilgrims’, boys are taught to recognise the importance of clear communication. They learn how to write for a range of audiences, selecting and adapting the form and ‘voice’ to suit their purpose. Experimentation with writing styles, including narrative, discursive, persuasive, and descriptive writing is underpinned with rigorous focus on the mechanics of grammar, spelling, and presentation.

Poetry

Poetry is something our boys relish, especially when given the opportunity to write their own. By creating an environment in which the boys feel comfortable and proud to share their work with peers, we help them to develop confidence, self-awareness, and self-expression.

Reading

With a strong culture of reading that runs through the whole school, Pilgrims’ boys soon develop a great love of books. Every day we have Sit Down, a pause in the day so that everyone can take time out to enjoy a book/to read, either individually or as a class. Many of the Junior boys participate in Cake Break, our school book club.

In class, the boys are taught to analyse the impact and effect of writers’ language choices, and how to use the appropriate critical vocabulary when doing so. In senior years, this detailed reading is enriched with a broader study of the social and historical contexts in which the literature was written.  Shakespeare, for example, is made accessible to 11-year-old boys by re-imagining Macbeth as The Simpsons, and by using the text to stimulate discussions about highly topical issues such as mental health, race, and gender stereotypes.

Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader (AR) is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor boys’ independent reading.  Junior Pilgrims’ can pick a book at their own level and read it at their own pace.  When they have finished, they take a short quiz on the computer or iPad.  AR gives the boys and teachers feedback based on the quiz results and helps direct future progression.  AR has over 30,000 books on record with quizzes for each, and more are being added every day. 

AR keeps a running total of all the words each boy has read.  Keeping track of their ‘Word Count’ is something that strongly motivates the boys - the ultimate goal is for a boy to become a ‘Word Millionaire’ during an academic year.

Enrichment

Theatre trips bring the page to the stage, and visits by established and emerging authors motivate and inspire the boys, offering them invaluable insights into the writer’s craft through workshops and discussion.

Speaking and listening skills are honed through structured classroom discussion and lively debate and are greatly enhanced by visits from professional speakers. Boys of all years will read or speak in school assemblies or in our services held in Winchester Cathedral and Winchester College Chapel. Many senior boys will gain invaluable experience of independent communication when showing visitors around the school.