What is English?

In both key stages one and two, teaching and learning in English is planned around a book study often linked wherever possible to the topic being covered in the foundation subjects.A range of high quality texts, film clips, or current affairs are used alongside these topics to engage children in their learning, covering a broad range of genres and text-types. A strong emphasis is placed on ‘writing for purpose’ – giving children a positive and purposeful reason for their writing in order to engage and enthuse. The teaching of grammar, punctuation and spelling is embedded within English lessons and is also delivered discretely to support pupil progress in these basic skills. 

Reading requires the reader to make use of a number of skills:

Phonological – being able to equate a letter or letters with a sound.
Syntactical – understanding of grammar and word order.
Semantic – an understanding of the meaning being conveyed.

The development of these skills begins in the Early Years when children are introduced to early phonic work (using Litlle Wandle) and builds on their knowledge of stories, rhymes and poems.  

From Reception and throughout KS1, phonics is taught in groups every day outside of the English lesson.  

In KS2, any children who still require phonic work will also have access to relevant intervention programmes.  

Reading for pleasure is promoted throughout school, with opportunities for pupils to read independently, with a partner and in whole-class novel sessions as well as other promoted incentives or activities, such as DEAR Readers and our weekly reading raffle prizes. We also have a local author who is an active Patron of Reading for the school.

We believe that a quality English curriculum should develop children’s love of reading, writing and discussion. We aim to inspire an appreciation of our rich and varied literary heritage and a habit of reading widely and often. We recognise the importance of nurturing a culture where children 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 children to become confident in the art of speaking and listening and to be able to use discussion to communicate and further their learning.
We believe that children need to develop a secure knowledge-base in Literacy, which follows a clear pathway of progression as they advance through the primary curriculum. Through our English Curriculum, we strive to teach the children how important their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills will be in the real world. By giving this context to their learning, the children understand the value of English to them now, and in their futures