English

Years 1 & 2

Literacy skills provide access to the entire curriculum. We therefore place literacy at the heart of our teaching and learning. As their skills develop, children are equipped to create, communicate and explore meanings and to make sense of the world and their place within it. Pupils are encouraged to listen attentively to others and to speak clearly, confidently and articulately.

Reading is a daily experience and is carried out in a variety of ways, both within the classroom and at home, under the guidance of the teacher. Children are introduced to an increasingly varied range of genres as their skills strengthen.

Children are encouraged to become expressive, imaginative and thoughtful writers. They are shown how to write for a variety of purposes and audiences. Developing levels of accuracy are encouraged in spelling and grammar. Joining letters is taught throughout KS1. Cursive writing promotes efficient fluency, reinforces spelling patterns and equips children to present their work with pride.

“I enjoy English because I like writing stories, learning new vocabulary and enjoying poetry. Drama is always fun, there is never a dull moment”.

Years 3- 6

Literacy learning at school takes place in the classroom in an environment that is rich in language in all its forms.

Teachers help pupils develop their facility for language, from listening and speaking in drama and classroom discourse, through to reading and writing, including the ability to reflect and self evaluate all that they do with and in language.

Achievement is forged by developing and building upon an understanding and appreciation of language as a form of communication and expression. It is not enough just to have the basic tool kit, children need to have an awareness and ability to use their language skills in a variety of contexts and situations that will enable them to find their place, in a world rich with a diverse culture of communication in both the spoken and written form.