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English

English

“English literature is a glorious inheritance which is open to all – there are no barriers, no coupons, and no restrictions. In the English language and in its great writers there are great riches and treasures…” – Winston Churchill.

Introduction

At Redby we firmly believe that English in all its forms should be at the centre of children’s learning. High quality teaching and learning of English, including Reading, should enable children to write and speak fluently therefore allowing them to communicate their ideas and emotions to others. Children should develop a love for reading through their enjoyment of stories, books, speaking and listening tasks and reading based activities. We encourage children to develop skills to communicate effectively in speech and writing, to listen with understanding and to be responsive, enthusiastic and knowledgeable readers and writers. We will enable children to achieve this passion for reading and  writing through providing stimulating and exciting experiences based around high quality materials and opportunities for learning which will lead to every child reaching and fulfilling their full potential.

Intent

At Redby we believe that all children are entitled acquire the necessary skills in order to become lifelong learners.

 

  • The Early years within Redby Primary follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, using Early Learning Goals.  Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised is the systematic synthetic phonics programme (SSP) Redby has adopted.
  • Continuous provision is in place for nursery, reception and year one (there are opportunities for reading and writing in all areas, including indoor and outdoor provision)
  • Reading and Writing is taught daily within Key Stage 1 and 2. English lessons are based upon a text or novel which is read over a half-term, or term where necessary. These high-quality texts are selected from the Sunderland LA Long Term Planning recommended reading list. Each Monday, children learn and apply specific reading skills in a comprehension based lesson then continue to read the whole-class text each day, which in turn provides stimulus for grammar and writing activities throughout the week. Teachers plan daily Guided or Focused Reading sessions where they practise and apply these skills further. There is additional time on the timetable for spelling and Grammar is taught explicitly each week as part of the English teaching sequence.

 

Cultural Capital

Books are at the heart of our English teaching. Not only do these provide quality stimuli for lessons here at Redby, the vast array of content across the Key Stages provides children with essential knowledge needed in order to be educated citizens. 

 

Implementation

Our English curriculum design is taught through high quality texts with a progressive teaching sequence. This entails specific lessons including explicit comprehension and grammar based tasks, progressing to the planning, application and editing of writing over the course of a week.

 

 

Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling.

Within the national curriculum grammar and punctuation is a key focus and as such we now teach grammar as an explicit part of the curriculum. This begins in KS1 and follows through into KS2. It is essential that children are taught to use the correct vocabulary from an early age and all teachers model the use of this when they teach grammar.

 

Grammar is taught within the teaching sequence of English throughout the week. It is taught as a stand alone lesson then the children are then able to practise this new skill (usually through a written activity or cloze procedure). This develops the use of fluency of the new grammar/punctuation skill. The teacher then models how to use the grammar or punctuation through the class text or a cross curricular example. Children are then able to see the new learning being used in context. Finally children would be expected to use the new learning in their own writing piece towards the end of the week therefore embedding the skill.

 

 

Writing

We aim to foster a love of writing as soon as children enter Redby Academy. This is achieved through many different teaching and learning strategies.

We believe that communication and language, with opportunities to explore reading and writing underpins the future learning of our children. Within our Foundation Stage children have access to planned whole class or group writing activities but also many opportunities for child initiated writing activities.

Writing is taught daily within Key Stage 1 and 2. English lessons are based upon a text or novel which is read over a half-term, or term where necessary. These high-quality texts are selected from the Sunderland LA Long Term Planning recommended reading list. Each Monday, children learn and apply specific reading skills in a comprehension based lesson then continue to read the whole-class text each day, which in turn provides stimulus for grammar and writing activities throughout the week.

 

 

Reading

Reading is at the heart of our weekly teaching sequence for English. Explicit reading skills are taught daily across all year groups through formal Focused, Guided or Reading Practise sessions, and then informally, where learning opportunities arise. English is taught through a text, or novel, daily in each class which again provides opportunities to apply reading skills. Monday’s lessons are always comprehension based which may be linked to the text or other texts of varying genres to ensure robust coverage and exposure.

Every member of the Redby team is passionate about books and reading. This is reflected in the ethos of our classrooms, and whole school environment in general. Reading displays and book corners encourage children to read. Not only are books available in our whole-school library, an abundance of books can be found in various other environments around school.

Children are encouraged to read daily at home. Teacher-parent communication is recorded via either reading records in EY/KS1 progressing to book marks in KS2. Successful home-reading is rewarded regularly.

 

 

Phonics

Phonics is taught daily from Early Years to the end of Year One. Children who require further phonics teaching will be provided with tailored intervention in Year Two, progressing to Key Stage Two, if and when required. Pease see below for further information regarding our phonics programme: Little Wandle Revised Letters and Sounds. 

 

Impact

Reading widely and often increases pupils’ vocabulary because they encounter words they would rarely hear or use in everyday speech and it feeds pupils’ imagination to opens up a treasure-house of wonder and joy for curious young minds. A sound understanding of phonics and an inherit love of reading will in turn create competent writers meaning children are prepared for secondary education and future employment.

 

 

Phonics

All teaching and support staff at Redby have been trained in the Little Wandle Revised Letters and Sounds Programme:

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/

For more information, please see the Phonics section of 'Our Curriculum'. 

EYFS

In EYFS, children take part in English lessons which work towards helping them to achieve the Early Learning Goals in reading and writing:

 

Reading

  • Say a sound for each letter in the alphabet and at least 10 digraphs.
  • Read words consistent with their phonic knowledge by sound-blending.
  • Read aloud simple sentences and books that are consistent with their phonic knowledge, including some common exception words.

 

Writing

  • Write recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed.
  • Spell words by identifying sounds in them and representing the sounds with a letter or letters.
  • Write simple phrases and sentences that can be read by others.

SEND

We aim to create a learning environment that is inclusive and accessible for all pupils. Lessons will be taught in a way that is educational, sensitive yet enjoyable and teachers will remain inclusive and meet the needs all children. This is achieved by creating a space that feels safe and will encourage all children to explore their emotions and ask questions through carefully and appropriately planned lessons.  

 

Additional Web Links

Collins eBooks:

https://ops.collinsopenpage.com/sso/login?service=https%3A//ebooks.collinsopenpage.com/wr/index.html&eulogin=true

 

Spelling Shed:

https://www.edshed.com/en-us/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.edshed.com

 

Letterjoin:

https://www.letterjoin.co.uk/log-in.html

 

100 best books - Books Trust:

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/our-recommendations/100-best-books

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