Intent

The National Curriculum forms the basis for all teaching of English ensuring continuity and progression in an age-related curriculum. In addition, teachers make sure the content is relevant and motivating by delivering through a range of themes and topics. Our English curriculum has been developed to recognise the importance of reading and writing in every aspect of daily life and to develop children’s love of reading, writing and communication.  We aim to develop a culture where children love to read for pleasure, take pride in their writing and can clearly and accurately adapt their language for a range of texts.  We want to inspire children to be confident in the art of speaking and listening and to be able to use discussion to communicate and further their learning.

Our intent is to enable children to:

• Read fluently and with good understanding
• Read for pleasure and learning
• Write clearly and accurately, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
• Develop a love of writing and to be able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and creatively through rich vocabulary
• Confidently use the essential skills of grammar, punctuation and spelling
• Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar, and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing  and spoken language
• Use discussion in order to learn- they should be able to elaborate and clearly explain their understanding and ideas
• Become competent in speaking and listening

Implementation

We ensure that our English teaching and learning provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion. We use a wide variety of experiences, quality texts and resources to motivate and inspire our children. All pupils receive a daily English lesson as well as opportunities for cross-curricular links across the school day. Teachers create a positive reading and writing culture in school, where both are promoted, enjoyed and considered ‘a pleasure’ by pupils. Time is given for children to write at length during our independent writing sessions. Promotion of reading is also developed through teachers reading out loud regularly to their class; storytelling happens every day is our classrooms. Our Guided Reading curriculum is taught through our programme of English, using VIPERS to support all key reading skills. We encourage our children to use a wide and rich vocabulary, being adventurous with their language. We aim for children to become fluent readers through reading in and out of school and support our parents on their child’s reading journey too. Displays of writing, in class, shared areas and on the school website, give a purpose and audience, to encourage pride in work and to show that work is valued. Reading and writing events (throughout the year) encourage and promote enjoyment and opportunities to develop lifelong learning.

Pupils in EYFS and KS1 have daily phonics sessions, following Little Wandle, a rigorous Systematic Synthetic Phonics curriculum. This is continued in KS2 for children who need to continue with intervention in this area.  Throughout school, age/ level appropriate spellings/ target words are sent home weekly for pupils to practise with parents. English is taught through a mastery approach making adaptations as appropriate to support and challenge children further.

Impact

To ensure children not only acquire the appropriate age-related knowledge linked to the English curriculum, but also skills which equip them to progress from their starting points, and within their everyday lives. Pupils will be confident in the art of speaking and listening and to be able to use discussion to communicate and further their learning. They will be able to read fluently both for pleasure and to further their learning and 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 and adapted to suit support, challenge and learning style. We aim for children to have a wide vocabulary and to be adventurous with vocabulary choices within their writing. Pupils of all abilities will succeed in all English lessons because work will be appropriately adapted.