English
English consists of reading, writing, spoken language, handwriting, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, punctuation and grammar.
We use the English programmes of study for Key Stages 1 and 2 as the foundation of our English curriculum. Each of these aspects are taught both as discrete subjects and alongside other areas of the curriculum.
Reading
In Reception and KS1, children read a rich variety of texts both with adults and independently. In order to support their early reading skills, children read 100% decodable texts that are aligned with their phonics phase. This enables them to practise and apply the sound families and exception words that are being taught in the phonics lesson. These texts are taken from the Pearson Bug Club Phonics programme.
From Year 1, children also have the opportunity to develop other word reading strategies using 80% decodable texts through the use of Pearson Bug Club books.
In KS1, a bespoke, text-focused curriculum for reading has been designed to develop children’s comprehension, vocabulary and enjoyment of books. During these reading lessons, children listen to and engage with texts that are beyond their reading level and are read to them. This provides opportunities for teachers to deepen children’s thinking and understanding with rich, diverse and challenging texts.
Once children reach a certain level in their reading in KS2, they are able to access a reading program called Accelerated Reader. The program provides quizzes for the children to take once they have read a book, providing the opportunity for them to practise and improve their comprehension of what they have read.
KS2 also have a bespoke, text-focused curriculum for reading that has been designed to develop children’s comprehension, vocabulary and enjoyment of books. Fluency and prosody are modelled, taught and secured within the reading lessons, as children have the opportunity to experience a breadth of rich, diverse and challenging texts.
Phonics
Our school uses Pearson Bug Club Phonics to plan carefully for the systematic teaching of phonics in school. Phonics is an essential element in teaching children to read and write with whole class phonic sessions taking place daily in EYFS and into KS1.
When children are ready to begin the transition from phonics to spelling, Spelling Shed is used to structure daily spelling lessons. This is often in Year 2.
Through a consistent and structured approach, children are able to practise and apply skills in an effective and enjoyable way.
Writing
Writing is a fundamental skill that permeates many areas of the curriculum, as children are provided with the opportunity to write for different purposes and audiences.
We use Jane Considine’s The Write Stuff as our curriculum in Writing.
Writing lessons, and opportunities to write in other subjects, take place daily across the school with a focus on:
- Transcription, which includes spelling and handwriting
- Composition, which includes planning, drafting and evaluating writing
- Vocabulary, grammar and punctuation
Spelling
When children are ready to begin the transition from phonics to spelling, a bespoke curriculum is used to structure daily spelling lessons. This is often in Year 2.
In Key Stage 2, we use Sounds and Syllables as our curriculum for Spelling.
Spoken language and vocabulary
Spoken language and vocabulary is promoted in all subjects and is one of the key drivers in our curriculum. Activities include discussion, presentations, sharing stories and poetry, role-play, debate and drama.
