Intent
We recognise the importance of English and believe that a quality English curriculum should develop children’s love of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
We follow the National Curriculum for English to ensure that children :
- Are taught to speak clearly and covey ideas confidently using Standard English. Children will ask questions to check understanding, develop their vocabulary and build on prior knowledge. They will evaluate and build on ideas of others.
- Should develop reading and writing in all subjects to support their acquisition of knowledge. They should be taught to read fluently and encouraged to read for pleasure.
- Should have the acquisition and command of vocabulary and use this as the key to their learning and progress. Children should develop vocabulary building systematically on their current knowledge.
We foster the importance of a culture where children take pride in their work. We want to create opportunities for pupils to write clearly and accurately for a range of purposes. We aim to inspire and give opportunities for children to become confident in speaking and listening.
Implementation
Our aim at St Helen Auckland is that through book- led curriculum , children will become more confident and fluent in their understanding of the three strands of the English Curriculum- reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Our framework provides purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion We use a wide range of quality text and resources to motivate and inspire. Teachers also use cross curricular opportunities to support reading and writing.
Our English curriculum supports the use of Learning powers. This gives pupils to the opportunity to:
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- Question
- Make links
- Use imagination
- Reason
- Capitalise
- Plan
- Revise
- Distil
- Collaborate
- Imitate
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Reading
The programme of study for reading at Key Stage 1 and 2 consists of two dimensions:
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- Word Reading
- Comprehension ( listening and reading)
Comprehension is taught on a daily basis in all classes, this is taught explicitly using a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts. Whole class reading, shared reading, independent and guided reading are all methods employed to teach these skills.
Writing
Writing is taught on a daily basis as part of a cycle. Children are given opportunities to write short and longer pieces of work and to review and reflect. They are guided through the planning, drafting, editing and revising process. Children’s editing or corrections are in green pen.
Throughout the writing cycle, shared and guided writing is used to support pupils to produce a high quality outcome based on new and prior learning.
Speaking and Listening
Pupils are taught to speak clearly and convey ideas confidently using Standard English in every subject in every class.
Through teacher modelling, paired and group work, presentations, debates and drama pupils are taught to:
- Justify ideas with reasons
- Ask questions to check understanding
- Develop vocabulary and build on prior knowledge.
- Negotiate
- Evaluate
- Build on ideas of others
- Select the appropriate register for effective communication
- Give well structured descriptions and explanations
- Develop their understanding through speculation, hypothesising and exploring ideas
Children are assessed termly against objectives taught previously.
Impact
The English curriculum is taught this way at St Helen Auckland to ensure children have opportunities to explore, develop and demonstrate speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
Our focus for teaching English this way is that by the end of KS2 pupils are able to:
- Speak clearly and covey ideas using Standard English
- Read fluently
- Use reading to support their acquisition of knowledge about themselves and the wider world
- Write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of fiction and non-fiction purposes
- To support their acquisition of knowledge.
- To be able to discuss their learning and remember what they have learnt.
Medium Term Plans
