Primary English is a creative mixed-discipline program which combines the best of Studio’s innovative education in both literature and drama, adapted for younger students at the beginning of their primary school years. The courses effectively instill in children a high level of competency and personal engagement with the English language, its literature, and its drama, enabling them to build solid skills in reading, writing, and performance.

Through its innovative approach to learning, 6-8-year-olds are introduced to a wide range of concepts and competencies which create a solid foundation for later progression through both our literature-based reading and writing courses in Kids Canon and Teens Canon, and our drama series, Literature and Drama. The thoughtfully-designed structure of Primary English takes our students through three levels, from Beginner, through Pre-Foundation, to Foundation, at a pace that is stimulating yet achievable for every child. In each successive course, children simultaneously make progress while gaining confidence in their ability.

Primary English nurtures children’s innate love for stories, and not only encourages children to enjoy and reflect on the stories they encounter, but also gives them the skills and confidence to become great storytellers themselves. Through building their practice in writing stories of increasing length, children become familiar with and well-equipped in developing the skills and techniques to meet the academic demands they will encounter later in their school careers and education pathways. Additionally, through participation in Trinity College London’s drama exams, children grow in their ability to find their voice in public, learning skills of expression that form a bedrock for all future public speaking.

All Primary English courses are taught in classes of eight students maximum. For homework, students are expected to pre-read one-fifth or more of their reading book per week, plus write one long story per book and complete vocabulary exercises. They must also memorise lines for their solo poetry recitals and storytelling and for their group performances. In class time, students read the book around the table, as well as write one or two essays per book, in both first and second draft. Students’ second drafts are compiled into a portfolio of writing; solo drama tasks are performed for Trinity exams; and group productions are delivered for parents and friends in a once-per-semester performance.

Explore the Primary English courses below. For older children, or to see the progression after Primary English Foundation, visit Kids Canon and The Studio School of Speech and Drama.