Intent
At Stretton Handley CE (VC) Primary School we believe that a high quality English curriculum should develop pupils’ love of reading, writing and discussion. One of our priorities is helping pupils read and develop their all-important comprehension skills. We recognise the importance of nurturing a culture where pupils take pride in their writing, can write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of contexts. We want to inspire pupils to be
confident in the art of speaking and listening and who can use discussion to communicate and further their learning. We believe that pupils need to develop a secure knowledge-base in English, which follows a clear pathway of progression as they advance through the primary curriculum. We believe that a secure basis in literacy skills is crucial to a high quality education and will give our pupils the tools they need to participate fully as a member of society.
Implementation
We have a rigorous and well-organised English curriculum and framework, that provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion. We use a wide variety of quality texts and resources to motivate and inspire our pupils. Teachers also ensure that cross-curricular links with concurrent topic work are woven into the programme of study.
EYFS (Reception)
Children have opportunities to develop their communication, language and literacy skills on a daily basis in both adult led and child initiated activities. They have regular story times and shared text sessions to develop a love of reading. Children receive quality first teaching, within a group or individually – working towards the children’s next steps in their learning. In Reception, children have a daily discrete phonics lesson and take part in both guided and individual reading sessions.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1 daily discrete phonics lessons continue and are taught in ability groups. Children take part in both guided and individual reading sessions and have regular story times to develop a love of reading. English skills are developed across the curriculum. Provision is made to enable all pupils to access learning, according to their needs. Intervention programmes are planned appropriately along with differentiated class teaching and targeted teaching groups.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2 children have daily English sessions. Spelling and grammar skills are initially taught discretely before being embedded within creative writing sessions. Additional English sessions include guided reading, spelling, grammar, handwriting and opportunities to read for pleasure. English skills are developed across the curriculum. Provision is made for children who require extra support through targeted teaching; intervention programmes and differentiated class teaching.
Impact
The impact and measure of this is to ensure children not only acquire the appropriate age-related knowledge linked to the science curriculum, but also skills which equip them to progress from their starting points, and within their everyday lives.
Long term pupils will:
• be confident in the art of speaking and listening and to be able to use discussion to communicate and further their learning
• be able to read fluently both for pleasure and to further their learning.
• enjoy writing across a range of genres
• Pupils of all abilities will be able to succeed in all English lessons because work will be appropriately scaffolded
• have a wide vocabulary and be adventurous with vocabulary choices within their writing
• have a good knowledge of how to adapt their writing based on the context and audience
• leave primary school being able to effectively apply spelling rules and patterns they have been taught
• make good and better progress from their starting points to achieve their full potential
Speaking and Listening Knowledge and Skill Progression Overview