English
English – Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At Ashleigh Primary School we believe that a quality English curriculum should develop children’s love of reading, writing and discussion. One of our priorities is helping children read and develop their all-important comprehension skills. We recognise the importance of nurturing a culture where children take pride in their writing, can write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of contexts. We want to inspire children to be confident in the art of speaking and listening and who can use discussion to communicate and further their learning.
We believe that children need to develop a secure knowledge-base in English, which follows a clear pathway of progression as they advance through the primary curriculum. We believe that a secure basis in English skills is critical to a high-quality education and will give our children the tools they need to participate fully as a member of society.
Implementation
These aims are embedded across our English lessons and the wider curriculum. We have an engaging English curriculum and framework, that provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion. We use a wide variety of quality texts and resources to inspire and motivate our children. Teachers also ensure that cross curricular links are woven into the programme of study through topic work.
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.
At Ashleigh Primary School we are investing in a new set of Reading Rhino books for Key Stage One that link with Phonics and are phonetically decodable. We introduced Twinkl Phonics in September 2020 which we have found is engaging the children and we have seen an increase in the percentage of children passing the Phonics Screening Check. In Key Stage 2 we use a range of reading schemes in order to provide children with variety. Throughout school we teach the Spelling Shed Programme which children can access in school and also at home to support their learning.
We identify children who need support and provide intervention in the most effective and efficient way that we can. We run intervention reading groups and are fortunate to have grandparents who come in regularly to hear children read. Teachers plan and teach English lessons which are differentiated to the particular needs of each child. We help each child maximise their potential by providing help and support where necessary whilst striving to make children independent workers once we have helped to equip them with the confidence, tools and strategies that they need.
We run parent information sessions (during COVID this information has been available online) on phonics and early reading for Reception parents, Phonics sessions for Year 1 parents, SATs information session for Year 2 parents and a SATs meeting for Year 6 parents so that they understand age-related expectations. These sessions are usually very well attended by parents and carers who often comment about how helpful the sessions have been for them.
Marking at Ashleigh Primary School should be used to further children’s English skills with regular ‘Response Times’ and spelling corrections to help children correct and consolidate their work. Regular English book scrutinies and pupil conferencing are carried out to have an overview of the learning taking place throughout school.
We love to celebrate success of all learners and strive to help all children achieve their goals. Reading is celebrated in classrooms and around school at Ashleigh, where our bright and colourful displays celebrate all aspects of English. In addition, throughout the school year our English curriculum is enhanced through World Book Day, grandparent 1:1 reading, weekly library visits to our well stocked library and a range of trips and visits which enrich and complement children’s learning.
Impact
The impact on our children is clear: progress, sustained learning and transferrable skills. With the implementation of the writing journey being well established and taught thoroughly in both key stages, children are becoming more confident writers and by the time they are in upper Key Stage 2, most genres of writing are familiar to them and the teaching can focus on creativity, writer’s craft, sustained writing and manipulation of grammar and punctuation skills.
Our latest Key Stage 2 English SATs results show that we are one of the top performing schools in our local area. Each year we have children achieving at a greater depth in reading and writing at the end of KS2. Termly assessment is showing that most children at Ashleigh are achieving age-related expectations in Reading. Lockdown and time away from school has had a particularly detrimental impact on Writing and we are hopeful that with a revised curriculum focusing on the children’s current needs and interventions where necessary children’s writing will emulate their reading attainment. We hope that all the new English initiatives outlined above will help to boost children’s learning and progress.
As all aspects of English are an integral part of the curriculum, cross curricular writing standards have also improved and skills taught in the English lesson are transferred into other subjects; this shows consolidation of skills and a deeper understanding of how and when to use specific grammar, punctuation and grammar objectives.
We hope that as children move on from Ashleigh Primary School to further their education and learning, that their creativity, passion for English and high aspirations travel with them and continue to grow and develop as they do.
If you wish to know more about our English Curriculum please contact the school office and ask for the English Coordinators. Thank you