English
Growing and Achieving Together...
English at Sandiway Primary School
Together, we take our children on a journey that is engaging, exciting and empowering for all.
The leader for English in our school is: Mrs Sue Atkinson
'The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.'
National Curriculum, July 2014
Intent
Engage: English at Sandiway is learnt through a range of high-quality texts, and other exciting stimuli such as: film clips, artefacts, visitors and real life experiences. The English curriculum is carefully planned to provide a high-quality education that teaches our pupils to speak, read and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others effectively.
Excite: A broad and balanced curriculum makes reading and writing opportunities exciting. All children read and write for a clear audience and purpose. We provide exciting opportunities to support learning, including visits, visitors and learning outside the classroom.
Empower: All children experience a progressive curriculum that encourages a passion for literacy, ensuring that our children are equipped with the skills they need in order to apply their learning to become lifelong learners.
Implementation
At Sandiway Primary School we believe that English is vital in enabling our pupils to communicate effectively and access all curriculum areas. We have a creative, focused and structured approach to our English curriculum.
We follow The Literacy Company’s ‘Pathways to Write’ and 'Pathways to Read' which develops vocabulary, reading and writing skills through a mastery approach.
Grammar and punctuation is taught both thematically and discretely as is most appropriate. Spelling is taught using 'Pathways to spell.' This is delivered through the weekly teaching of spelling objectives and development of a whole school approach to word transcription, vocabulary development and proof reading. Find out more about Our Approach to Spelling here
Systematic Synthetic phonics is taught from EYFS to the end of KS1 and beyond where necessary (using Essential Letters and Sounds SSP).
In order for students to properly access the whole curriculum and realise their full potential, the development of essential English abilities is crucial. The delivery of the English curriculum is fair and suitable for all groups, enabling full access and parity for all students.
Impact
Phonics
At Sandiway we aim to ensure that all our children have the best possible start to reading. The consistent pattern of the lessons and resources, the shared practise and regular, repetitive practice will ensure that all children will achieve. We follow Essential Letters and Sounds, a detailed and systematic programme for the teaching of phonics. Taught from Reception, with the aim of our children becoming fluent phonics decoders by the end of Key Stage 1. For those children who need to consolidate their knowledge and skills further, Key Stage 2 provides support based on individual children's needs.
Find out more about Our Approach to Phonics here
Reading
Pupils should be taught to read fluently, understand extended prose (both fiction and non-fiction) and be encouraged to read for pleasure.
National Curriculum, July 2014
Through discussion and reflection with parents, peers and staff, children develop the skills and strategies that they need to become competent and fluent readers. We ensure that reading is at the centre of our learning. Our reading lessons are carefully planned to ensure progression of reading skills through high-quality texts. Children read widely and often and are able to apply their reading skills to a variety of situations for a variety of purposes.
Find out more about Our Approach to Reading here
Writing
'Pupils should develop the stamina and skills to write at length, with accurate spelling and punctuation.'
National Curriculum, July 2014
All children write and communicate effectively. Writing outcomes across the curriculum illustrate the school’s high expectation and children are given opportunities to write for a variety of different purposes and audiences. Writing is based on high quality texts and are engaging, meaningful and creative. The children are encouraged to be technically accurate in all their writing.
Find out more about Our Approach to Writing here