English
Subject Leader: Mrs A Neill, Mrs L Bushell & Mrs K Blezard
Intent
English is the foundation of our curriculum. Our main aim is to ensure every single child becomes primary literate and progresses in the areas of reading, writing, and speaking and listening.
We recognise that each child has their own starting point upon entry to every year group. As a result, we measure progress from this starting point alongside attainment against age related expectations. Staff are aware of those groups which may require additional support or challenge, and these groups of children are provided for accordingly, in order that all children may reach their potential.
English will be taught discretely on a daily basis, but it also underpins the other areas of our broad and balanced curriculum. It is embedded within all our lessons and we will strive for a high level of English for all. Through using high-quality texts, immersing children in vocabulary rich learning environments and ensuring curriculum expectations and the progression of skills are met, children will be exposed to a language-rich, creative and continuous English curriculum which will develop a love of reading, purposeful and creative writing and a confidence in speaking and listening, enabling children to become primary literate pupils.
Objectives:
- To ensure teaching and learning in school supports the development of speaking and listening, reading and writing in all pupils ensuring all pupils achieve their full potential according to their age and abilities.
- To enable children to communicate effectively, both verbal and non-verbally.
- To ensure children read and write with confidence, fluency and understanding, orchestrating a range of independent strategies to self-monitor and correct.
- To enable children to become fluent, confident and independent readers who have an interest in books and read for enjoyment.
- To enable children to understand a range of text types and genres and be able to write in a variety of styles and forms appropriate to the situation.
- To provide children with opportunities to develop their literacy skills across the curriculum.
Phonics
We use the Little Wandle scheme at St Mary's in EYFS and into Key Stage 1. Children further up the school who have not secured their phonics learning are targeted through interventions which follow the same programme.
Reading
We are committed to developing confident, fluent and enthusiastic readers across the school. Our reading provision is carefully structured to ensure that children develop the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to become successful lifelong readers.
In Key Stage 1, children take part in regular Reading Practice Sessions using Little Wandle, where they develop their fluency, decoding, prosody and comprehension skills through carefully matched texts. These sessions provide children with the opportunity to practise reading texts they can access successfully, helping to build confidence and enjoyment.
In Key Stage 2, children develop their comprehension skills through Guided Reading sessions using VIPERS. These sessions focus on the key reading domains of Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explanation, Retrieval and Summarising, helping children to develop a deeper understanding of what they read and become thoughtful, independent readers.
From Year 3 onwards, we also use Accelerated Reader to encourage children to read regularly and independently. Children select books at an appropriate level, complete quizzes to check their understanding and are encouraged to broaden their reading choices and develop a love of reading.
This year, we have also introduced Complete Comprehension to further strengthen children’s ability to respond to texts through written comprehension. This gives children regular opportunities to practise answering questions in writing, develop their understanding of different texts and apply the reading skills they have learned.
Together, these approaches provide children with a rich and varied reading experience, developing fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and a genuine love of reading.
Progression
Key Learning - Age-related Expectations
Helping Your Child To Read
Reading Ambassadors
The Year 6 Reading Ambassadors work hard to promote reading around school. Some examples of what they do or have worked on this year include:
- Book raffles
- Competitions - design a bookmark and write a poem
- Reading displays
- Story time with younger year groups
- Organising the sale of books at the Book Fair
- Re-organising the library area
Writing
Literacy Tree is a whole-school English scheme built around high-quality children’s literature. Each unit is centred on a carefully chosen book, using the story as a stimulus for developing reading, writing, vocabulary, oracy and comprehension skills.
The scheme provides a clear and progressive sequence of learning, helping children build their English knowledge and skills as they move through the school. Lessons are designed to be engaging and creative, giving children opportunities to explore characters, themes, language and ideas through discussion, reading and writing.
Literacy Tree also promotes a strong reading culture, exposing children to a wide range of authors, genres, cultures and experiences. By placing inspiring books at the heart of English teaching, the scheme aims to develop confident communicators, enthusiastic readers and skilled writers.
Handwriting
We follow a clear and progressive approach to handwriting, ensuring that children develop the confidence, control and skills needed to write fluently and legibly.
From Reception to Year 2, children use the Little Wandle handwriting booklets, which support the development of correct letter formation and help children build strong foundations for fluent handwriting.
From Year 3 to Year 6, children use Letter-Join to further develop their handwriting. This supports children in refining their letter formation, joins, consistency, spacing and presentation as their writing becomes increasingly fluent and mature.
Across the school, we encourage children to take pride in their handwriting and presentation, with regular opportunities to practise and apply their skills in everyday writing.
Useful Links
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Spelling Shed
Children can practise their spelling using their logins to this site.
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Accelerated Reader
The children can quiz on their Accelerated Reader books on this site once they have finished reading them.
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Letterjoin
The children can practise their letter formation and handwriting using this site.
