“Literacy is the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realise his or her full potential"
Kofi Annan
Our goal for English education is that children are able to communicate effectively, for a range of purposes and audiences, by developing:
- understanding of language for communication;
- the ability to speak and write effectively and purposefully; and
- fluency and an enthusiasm for reading, both for pleasure and to learn.
Intent
What do we teach? Why do we teach it?
Here at Prior Weston, our English curriculum is designed to immerse children in a range of language-rich texts and therefore, with language acquisition at the heart, develop their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
Our carefully chosen texts reflect the diverse communities we teach and inspire a life-long love of reading. The texts, where possible, will link with other areas in our curriculum. We believe making these links in learning really helps our children to embed their understanding.
We study these texts in Reading (DR) lessons and then go onto learning about writing in different genres, which is based on the same text, thus giving the whole English curriculum meaning and a wider purpose for children’s writing.
At Prior Weston, we believe that reading for pleasure is at the heart of developing a child’s love of books. This is used in our school to promote reading beyond the purpose of academics. We hold reading for pleasure sessions regularly and teachers schedule time daily to read to the children. We have a purpose-built library that also helps to instil a regular interaction with a wide range of books and genres.
Through engaging lessons, we aim to foster a love of literacy, language and an enjoyment of learning. We challenge children of all abilities and ensure they make good progress in all areas of the English National Curriculum.
Our pupils are encouraged to have a growth mind-set and to develop the skills of perseverance and resilience. Through literacy, pupils are given a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. We celebrate children’s hard work and effort, alongside their successes. They are encouraged to revisit (evaluate) their work, making changes (editing) and developing their ideas to ensure they achieve their best and enjoy holding high expectations for themselves.
Implementation
Our teaching and learning strategy for English at Prior Weston Primary School is based upon the 2014 National Curriculum for English. We teach children by year groups, although we do adapt tasks to suit pupils who are working below or above age-related expectations. This will enable those pupils to develop basic skills, as well as their confidence and independence at a more manageable pace. Throughout the school year, the importance of reading is enhanced through World Book Day, National Poetry days, author and poet visits, parent reading workshops and a range of trips and visits which enrich and complement children’s learning.
As we believe consistency and well-taught English is the core of a valuable education, at Prior Weston we ensure that the teaching of reading and writing is purposeful, robust and shows clear progression for all children.
We follow the National Curriculum for English to ensure that all pupils:
- Are taught phonological awareness – phonics and spelling is taught regularly and systematically throughout early years and KS1. We use the RWI (Read Write Inc) model as an effective way of developing children’s reading and spelling skills.
- Spelling strategies are explicitly taught from Year 2 upwards. We use the RWI online spelling scheme to ensure skills and competency is developed sequentially across year groups.
- Are taught the Nelson style of handwriting. Joined handwriting is taught from Year 2 and expected throughout Key Stage Two. During Year Three, pupils can earn their pen licence.
- Read for information and pleasure in a range of settings; selecting and analysing stories, poetry and non-fiction.
- Read easily, fluently and with good understanding.
- Are articulate communicators, who can debate, share viewpoints whilst appreciating the views of others.
- Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.
- Have audience and purpose at the forefront of pieces of writing across the curriculum through celebrations of work.
- Write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences.
- Build resilience, learning through mistakes and altering accordingly.
- Appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage.
Enrichment
During their time at Prior Weston, our children are given every opportunity to participate in a wide range of learning experiences beyond their classroom. These experiences including trips to museums, the theatre, adventure centres and community projects which provide children with stimulating real-life experiences to pin their reading, writing and speaking development to. They will meet and work with authors and build their knowledge of literature. English learning is practised and embedded across the curriculum. Speaking and writing outcomes draw from knowledge gained in other subjects and English skills are used to enhance learning elsewhere. Children learn to collaborate and learn from each other to achieve outcomes.
