English

Intent

English is the foundation of our curriculum. It is embedded throughout our curriculum through reading, writing, speaking and listening. Our English curriculum will enable our pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others, and through their reading and listening, enable others to communicate with them.

Through reading in particular, our pupils will develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Reading also enables our pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society, and we value Literacy as the key to accessing knowledge and skills in other subjects, and therefore we teach all aspects of English rigorously.

We strive to ensure all pupils leave us with a good standard of reading and writing as we appreciate the lifelong opportunities this will afford them. There is a clear plan for progression. Children will be supported to close any gaps in their learning. Where children show high ability, talent and interest, they will be challenged. Every effort will be made to identify and lift barriers to learning. English will be presented as a subject to enjoy.

Implementation

We use Literacy Tree planning for our English lessons. Literacy Tree is a complete, book-based platform that covers all requirements of the Primary English curriculum. It is adapted by our staff to suit the needs of our school and children. 

We use book-based planning sequences, Writing Roots, which embed complete curriculum coverage and engage children to write with clear audience and purpose. The books chosen to teach help children to grow ideas and expand their minds. Writing Roots are sequences of detailed lesson plans between ten and twenty sessions in length. They are based on a wide range of high quality and significant children’s literature chosen to engage, challenge and support children to be critical readers and confident and informed writers.

All National Curriculum requirements of grammar, spelling, vocabulary, literary language and composition are embedded, leading towards a variety of purposeful and exciting shorter, longer and extended writing outcomes where the audience and purpose is clear. The curriculum coverage documents ensure all children receive a full coverage of the curriculum across a 2 or 3 year cycle. Curriculum Maps for each mixed age group shows the depth and breadth of texts used.

Impact  

Steps to progression maps for each year group ensure a clear sequencing of lessons and that new learning builds effectively on prior learning so children can develop strong understanding and knowledge. Teachers use these progression maps to ensure that children’s knowledge and skills are built upon secure foundations. Writing is continually assessed throughout each Writing Root with children composing shorter, longer and extended writing outcomes whilst studying each text. These outcomes are varied and cover the full range of writing styles. We aim for children to leave Fleggburgh Primary as

• Confident learners that have a love of reading and writing.
• Resilient, independent learners that recognise how English is relevant to their future and ensuring they have high aspirations moving forwards.
• Secure and fluent in their application of skills and knowledge so that they can read and write with regard to audience and purpose.