English
The English curriculum includes Spoken Language, Reading, Writing, Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling and Handwriting.
Purpose of Study
English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach children to write and speak fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, children have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables children both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know.
Aims
The overarching aim for English is to promote high standards of literacy by equipping children with a strong command of the written and spoken word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. The curriculum for English aims to ensure that all children:
- read easily, fluently and with good understanding
- develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
- acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
- appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
- write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
- use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
- are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
- We use a wide range of reading schemes and real books to enhance our reading scheme. It is organised in a progressive structure to help support the children in their development of reading skills.
Phonics
Our teaching of phonics consists of a structured four part lesson which allows children to revise, learn, practise and apply taught phonemes.
We follow the Little Wandle phonics scheme in Reception and the Super Sonic Phonic Friends accredited scheme in Years 1 -6.
We have matched phonetically decodable books to support children's blending and early reading skills
Writing and Reading
We follow a Mastery approach to English through the programmes
‘Pathways to Write'
'Pathways to Read'
'Pathways to Spell'
'Pathways to Poetry'
Units of work are delivered using high quality texts and children in all year groups are given varied opportunities for writing, reading and spelling.
Skills are built up through repetition within the units, and children apply these skills in the writing, reading and spelling activities provided.
Many opportunities for widening children’s vocabulary are given through the Pathways to Write and Read approach and this builds on the extensive work we do in school to provide our children with a rich and varied vocabulary.
You will find the end of year expectations for each of our year groups in the attached documents in reading, writing and spelling. For further detail on the skills that your children are learning on a termly basis, please contact your class teacher
Assessment
Children in EYFS, Year 1, 2 and 6 will take part in statutory testing.
EYFS - on entry to Reception computer based test
Year 1 - Phonics Screening Check
Year 2 - End of Key Stage assessment tests
Year 6 - End of Key Stage assessment tests
Across school, children are assessed by their class teachers in all areas of the English curriculum.
English Curriculum Overview
Writing Grammar Knowledge Booklets 2024-25
Writing Knowledge Organisers 2024 - 2025
Reading Knowledge Organisers 24-25
English 100 Recommended Reads