English
INTENT – Our Vision for English:
In English, we aim to empower and enrich our children’s vocabulary and so prepare them for the next stage in their educational journey and beyond. We don’t want any child to be hindered or held back by a deficit of language as a result of deprivation. We want them to be able to articulate themselves and their learning through a wide bank of subject specific terminology as well as being creative and innovative in their speech and writing. We aim to inspire our children to become fluent, confident life-long readers who can discuss the joy of literature as well as develop their own style and expression through wide opportunities for writing.
Our Curriculum reflects the ethos and aims of the school as well as the context from which our children derive. This means that our curriculum provides the necessary building blocks to develop the necessary knowledge and skills, whilst also promoting British Values, healthy lifestyles and mental well being, plus excellent behaviour and attitudes. It is underpinned with a large emphasis on SMSC development, a strong practical outworking for others in line with our Christian ethos, whilst also building character and readiness for the next stages of education and the learning journey beyond.
To find out more about how we teach Early Reading and Phonics, please visit our Phonics & Early Reading page.
IMPLEMENTATION – English Planning & Sequencing of Knowledge & Skills:
To find out how Writing is planned and sequenced in order that our children can progress through the building blocks for learning, please find the following documents:
Progression of Writing Strands
To find out more about how Reading is planned and sequenced for children to become fluent and confident readers, please find the following documents:
Reading Progression of skills and texts
Aims of the National Curriculum in English:
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.
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.
To find out more information about the National Curriculum for this subject & others, please click here.
Learning Experience: What is the breadth of experience provided for our children?
- Quality First teaching: variety of teaching styles, varied stimulus
- Quality Resources: Books, texts, online resources & programmes
- Visits: Totley Library & the theatre
- Visitors: authors
- Experiences: Book Club (daily), Phonics sessions, Home Reading, World Book Week, Speed Read Events, Wild Reads in the Woodland Workshop, weekly sessions for parent & child in the school library plus links to other curriculum areas.
Resources: What resources are used to support the teaching & learning of this subject?
- A wide variety of books (fiction, non-fiction, varied authors, genres, schemes, etc.)
- Varied texts
- Online resources & programmes
- Published schemes
- Phonics resources
- Comprehension activities
- Grammar activities
- Self & peer assessment materials
- Tests.
- Links with other Subject Areas: What links are made between this & other subject areas?
Links are made with other subject areas wherever possible and English skills are often taught via other subject areas through Reading and Writing based outcomes.
IMPACT of our English Curriculum:
We aim for our teaching of English to have a great impact on the lives of our children not only academically, but also in laying the foundations for social mobility through the promotion of British Values and SMSC and getting them ready for the next stages of their education.
Readiness for Next Stage of Education: How does this subject prepare our children for the next stage of their educational journey at secondary school & beyond?
We endeavour to ensure that the sequence of content enables our children to progress whilst they are with us but also to provide the building blocks necessary to build on at secondary school and their learning journey beyond. Underlying all of this is our emphasis on Leaning Culture which provides the underlying principles of attitude, resilience and character.
Promotion of Social Mobility: How does this subject promote social mobility?
Our aim is that no child is disadvantaged by their background situation and that, as a school, we provide everything that a child needs so that there is no cumulative dysfluency or gaps in learning. As a result, we ensure that children have a broad range of curriculum experiences, free access to a wide variety of books, multiple opportunities to speak as well as listen, plus our curriculum is designed in order to boost general as well as subject specific vocabulary.
Promotion of British Values & SMSC: How does this subject promote British Values & SMSC?
Through our rich and varied curriculum, we ensure that our children are well equipped for life in modern Britain and, through subject linkage have an excellent understanding of Democracy, the Rule of Law, Responsibility and Liberty, Mutual Respect plus Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. Our Curriculum is driven by SMSC Development and, as a result, pupils thrive – enjoying their lives, learning and want to make a difference for others.
Assessment: How is English assessed?
- Teacher assessment
- Formal assessment – termly / SATs
- Book Club records
- Marking
Monitoring & Evaluation: How do we know we have been successful?
- Lesson observations
- Results / Data Analysis
- Work scrutiny
- Discussions
- Monitoring of timetables for coverage
Long Term Memory: How English impact on long term memory?
- Revision & recapping
- Success Criteria
- Feedback / reflection from marking
- Repeated recall
- Curriculum Mats
- Links & connections with other subject areas plus old & new knowledge
- Learning Journal
- Quizzes
- Discussions
