English

English Curriculum: An Introduction

At St Joseph's, we offer our children a vast range of text types and writing opportunities so our children leave being able to read, write and speak fluently.  We have carefully curated our school reading spine to pick texts, which inspire the children's learning and give them plenty of creative opportunities; discussion points and help them to learn about the world all around them. 

English Curriculum: Intent
 

At St Joseph's, our English curriculum is carefully designed to develop children’s love of reading, writing, the spoken word and discussion. We prepare our learners for life as successful, valuable and socially responsible citizens.

We inspire an appreciation of rich and varied literary heritage (from our local, national cultures and the wider world and diverse cultures) and we instill and encourage a habit of reading widely and often. We nurture a whole-school culture where children take pride in their writing, can write clearly, imaginatively and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of contexts. We inspire children to be confident in the art of speaking and listening and to use discussion to communicate and further their learning in all areas of the curriculum.

We believe that children need to develop a secure knowledge-base through the English curriculum, which follows a clear pathway of progression as they advance through the primary curriculum. Our carefully sequenced, broad and balanced curriculum, underpinned by inclusive practice, aims to provide our children with the opportunity to build on their experiences in order to achieve their goals. We believe that a secure basis in literacy skills is crucial to a high quality education across the whole curriculum. We whole-heartedly ‘promote high standards of 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 2014)

English Curriculum: Implementation

 

Reading

Learning to read fluently and expressively is a fundamental part of everything we do at St Joseph's. Children are exposed to high quality texts across the curriculum and reading skills are taught explicitly in all year groups. Alongside the skills of decoding and comprehension, book talk encourages children to think as a reader and discuss their preferences, likes and dislikes. Reading for pleasure is a cornerstone of our approach. The high profile of reading in school is further enhanced by the use of the Accelerated Reading platform which has significantly changed the culture of reading for our children. The children are motivated and keen to read. In EYFS and KS1, the teaching of reading is supported by Read, Write Inc. a systematic, synthetic phonics programme, which is having a significant impact upon the progress of our children. Children are further exposed to a rich diversity of texts during reading for pleasure time and through their read together home reading books, 'Star readers'. 

Writing: Implementation

Learning how to write clearly and creatively is taught through a mastery approach to English through the programme ‘Pathways to Write.’ Units of work are delivered using high quality texts and children in all year groups are given varied opportunities for writing. Skills are built up through repetition within the units, and children apply these skills in the writing activities provided.  Many opportunities for widening children’s vocabulary are given through the Pathways to Write approach and this builds on the extensive work we do in school to provide our children with a rich and varied vocabulary.  

You will find the end of year expectations for writing, reading and spoken language for each of our year groups in the attached documents. For further detail on the skills that your children are learning on a termly basis, please contact your class teacher.

 

At St Joseph's, we strive to equip children to develop a rich vocabulary, which can help them bring their writing to life. Basic skills and non-negotiables underpin writing in all areas of the curriculum. Children are encouraged to ensure that all their writing, in every subject, matches the standard of writing in their English books.

 

Pupils develop their ability to explain their understanding of books and other reading, and to prepare their ideas before they write.  They are encouraged to discuss their ideas (both formally and informally) in order to make sense of their learning.  Children make notes and plan before writing. 

 

Teachers model the writing process and demonstrate the ambitious high standards expected of all children. Every child is encouraged to let their imagination and personality shine through in their writing. We impress upon the children that good readers make good writers and therefore the teaching of reading goes hand in hand with the teaching of writing.

Grammar and Punctuation: Implementation

KS1 and KS2 follow a progressive scheme of work provided by Classroom Secrets, which equip children with all the technical terminology and functions of grammar and punctuation across each year's curriculum.  Each year starts with a recap on last year's curriculum to further embed those key skills.  

Grammar and punctuation are also taught in an embedded, contextualized manner in our 'Pathways to Write' units.  We emphasize the importance of using and applying year group grammar, spelling and punctuation expectations in writing across the wider curriculum. 

 

Spelling: implementation

Children are taught a minimum of a spelling rule explicitly each week and have an opportunity to explore rules and patterns in words.  We use the Spelling Shed website and app as a resource to support learning at home and at school. 

Vocabulary: implementation

As a school, we truly understand the importance of closing the vocabulary gap for our children. We encourage children to be vocabulary explorers and to look for new interesting words in all they see and hear.  We unpick words in the context of the sentence and try to make connections with other words we know.  All adults at school model ambitious vocabulary in their work with the children.  We carefully plan which tier 2 and 3 words we will use across all parts of the curriculum.  All classrooms have vocabulary walls where we collect sophisticated language choices to further inspire our speech and writing. 

 

Speaking and Listening: implementation

Throughout the school, opportunities to develop pupil's spoken language in a range of contexts underpins the development of their reading and writing skills. Pupils are encouraged to speak clearly, confidently and with expression in order to communicate their ideas and feelings. They are taught to understand and use the conventions for discussion and debate.  All adults across school model the importance of speaking with Standard English.  Children are encouraged to ask questions, discuss in pairs and groups and to use conventions for discussion as well as debate. Opportunities for drama are sought throughout our curriculum as it is recognised that the skills that are developed through this medium are unique.

Handwriting: implementation

Cursive handwriting is taught with a sequential and progressive approach with teachers and teaching assistants modelling the handwriting style. We believe that children’s self-esteem and pride in their work can be raised by good quality presentation. Handwriting sessions are taught discretely in Reception and KS1 and regularly incorporated into the English lessons in KS2.  Where pupils are off-track, extra handwriting practice opportunities will be given.

Resources such as handwriting slopes and pencil grips are provided when needed. We strive for our children to correctly form their letters, joining with a cursive style with pupils having good handwriting habits, so that they can write fluently and legibly by the end of KS2. Children start by learning how to form their letters in EYFS and cement their understanding during year 1.  Then pupils are introduced to cursive style writing from year 2 onwards.

During lessons, we ensure that our pupils sit, position their paper/book and hold their pen/pencil correctly using their other hand to hold their work firmly. It is important that in the Early Years and at Key Stage 1, children are observed closely during the lesson to ensure that letter formation is correct and corrected if needed. In addition to specific handwriting lessons, children are expected to apply their learning in their exercise books and to show care for the presentation of their work.

English Curriculum: Impact

 

Children leave St Joseph's as happy, confident learners who have developed a lifelong love of reading and writing with the key skills and knowledge necessary for the next stage of their learning.  They have high aspirations and are confident in the art of speaking and listening, able to successfully use discussion to communicate and further their learning.  

Pupil are able to:

  • enjoy reading and writing across a range of genres
  • read regularly, for information and for enjoyment
  • discuss books with excitement, intrigue and confidence
  • enjoy writing and accurately use the features of different genres and styles
  • confidently write for different purposes, levels of formality and audiences
  • use a wide vocabulary that they use orally and within their writing
  • leave primary school being able to effectively apply spelling rules and patterns they have been taught
From a home perspective...
  • parents and carers will have a good understanding of how they can support pupils’ reading development at home
  • parents and carers will have a good understanding of how they can support spelling, grammar and composition and home.