English

English
The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the written and spoken word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:
- 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.

Phonics 

We plan and deliver phonics using the Read, Write Inc Phonics Programme alongside the National Curriculum. This is from Reception through to Year Two until the children have completed the programme. Children in Reception start off with a twenty minutes daily phonics session from Septemer - December and then this builds up to forty-five minutes by the end of the year. Children in Key Stage One have a forty-five minute daily phonics session. 

Children are assessed half termly and then taught in small groups. Progress at the end of and within a term is monitored and children move groups as needed. 

 

Phonics progression

Phonics information for parents

EYFS phonics information for parents

 

 

Reading

We use the National Curriculum to teach skills throughout Key Stage One, and skills based progression maps are used to inform planning. 

We understand the importance of reading for pleasure and children developing a love of reading. Children read and share a range of texts, allowing them to read widely and often across a range of authors and genres. All children have the opportunity to borrow books that match their phonic knowledge and a library book from the school library. All children are encouraged to read and share books at home, this is a crucial part of their reading journey. 

Writing

We use the National Curriculum to teach skills throughout Key Stage One. Children are immersed in produce a range of text types including stories, lists, recounts, poetry, instructions, reports. 

Handwriting

We plan and deliver handwriting lessons using the Kinetic Letters Scheme. This is a scheme that allows children to learn letter formation through movements. We learn letters by moving our bodies, saying the language and then write the letters using the language. Children are taught exercises to help strengthen core muscles to help with writing. 

The children become familiar with the characters 'Bounce' the brave monkey and 'Skip' the scared monkey. This helps them to recognise where each letter starts. In Reception the children hear the stories of Brave and Skip and begin to learn the different letter families. Children start to join letters in year 2.