English
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Our English lessons develop pupils’ spoken language, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. English is taught in a cross-curricular way, linking up with other areas of the curriculum. We teach our pupils to speak clearly, to convey their ideas fluently and confidently and to ask questions. Their vocabulary is developed systematically. Our pupils are encouraged to read for pleasure and to read widely.
We follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. We start teaching The Foundations For Phonics in Nursery and follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised progression, which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school. As part of our phonics programme, the children are heard reading individually and in groups. The children across EYFS and Year 1 have daily phonics sessions. Children in Reception and Year 1 have three reading practice sessions each week, which cover both fiction and non-fiction texts. Reading practice provides children with the opportunity to develop their fluency, prosody and comprehension skills. Parents are given clear expectations about reading at home.
We develop writing skills using the ‘Slow Writing’ pedagodgy so that our pupils have the stamina and ability to write at the age expected standard. To support children in moving towards independent writing we provide a wide range of activities including use of film and imagery, modelled, shared and guided writing, peer editing and discussion. Talk for writing is used to encourage pupils to express their ideas, exchange ideas and to develop vocabulary that is more sophisticated. We provide opportunities for writing for purpose and we encourage pupils to see themselves as authors. The status of written work is promoted by providing opportunities for children’s writing to be published and read by real audiences.
Handwriting sessions are incorporated into the English lessons enabling pupils to write fluently.
A range of extra activities are used to promote literacy within the school including an annual focus week, World Book Day and author visits.