English

If a child can read and write, they can access all learning.

From the start of their time in the Foundation class, the development of communication, literacy and numeracy skills are given a high priority. - ISI Report

We believe that good skills in English underpin all learning. We help children to develop skills and knowledge that will enable them to communicate clearly and effectively with the world at large, through spoken and written language. We want to enthuse and encourage a love of literature and its rich diversity. All children receive a daily literacy lesson. Key Stage 1 and 2 have an hour of English every morning. Clear objectives are set for each session and are shared with pupils.

Pupils’ high levels of achievement, particularly in literacy and numeracy, are attained largely as a result of the excellent teaching they receive. - ISI Report

Literacy contributes to many subjects within the primary curriculum and opportunities will be sought to draw literacy experience out of a wide range of activities as this will allow children to begin to use and apply their skills in real contexts. With the introduction of themed weeks and topics we encourage all our children to present their learning to an audience at the end of each topic. Often this is during our achievement assembly where parents, guests and children from other classes are in attendance.

Speaking and Listening

Opportunities are provided for children to talk and listen in both formal and informal settings: 

• Use of role-play and drama
• Story time when the teacher reads aloud to the class and children participate
• Class discussion/debate on topical or contentious issues
• Show and Tell sessions where children are encouraged to speak to their peers
• Interviewing carried out as part of a topic or project
• Participating in assemblies or productions
• Debating

Reading

Opportunities are provided for children to read for a range of purposes:

• Phonics lessons are taught on a daily basis in Reception and Key Stage 1
• Shared Reading – within literacy lessons and at other times of the day
• Guided Reading – Group Reading
• Independent Reading – daily in Key Stage 2 and for homework in KS1
• Library visits

Writing

Opportunities are provided for children to write on both paper and on screen. 

• Emergent Writing in Foundation Stage through directed teaching activities or as a result of continuous provision in class
• Guided Writing/Independent Writing - within the literacy lesson or other areas of learning
• Handwriting – is pre-cursive in Reception and Year 1 and Cursive from Year 2. It is practised regularly and also monitored within the literacy lesson to encourage a fluent, legible style.

SPaG - Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar are taught as discrete subjects as well as being monitored in all speaking and writing lessons. Spelling lists are sent home to learn.