English

For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right…Literacy is the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realise his or her full potential. –Kofi Annan

Intent

Here at St. Josephs, we recognise writing can do a great many things: inspire; entertain; inform; explain; instruct; persuade; and many more.  It is our aim that all children can write both creatively for enjoyment and academically for meeting a specific purpose. We have a rich diet of engaging and exciting texts and experiences that stimulate high-quality writing. Children’s love of reading and writing is at the heart of our curriculum. 

We aim to ensure all children are equipped with the relevant skills they need to communicate their ideas with the world effectively. Throughout our English lessons, we encourage children to develop a love of writing through authentic and engaging writing projects which have a clear purpose.

Implementation

  Writing activities are embedded across the curriculum allowing pupils many opportunities to practice and apply the skills and knowledge acquired in their daily English writing lessons. Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) skills are embedded throughout English lessons. As the children move through the school, new aspects of grammar and punctuation are introduced, and previously taught aspects are revisited and developed.

Spellings build on the foundations of Read Write INK and lessons continue to unpick, explore and spot patterns in the complex spelling of the English language. Rules and patterns are taught during spelling lessons and revisited throughout the curriculum. Weekly homework provides further opportunities to learn these rules. Writing is taught daily from Year 1 to Year 6, and lessons are delivered using a variety of methods, including shared writing (modeled writing with contributions from the children), guided writing (writing in small groups with support), and skills lessons (focus on spelling, grammar and punctuation). Each week, children are given an extended period for independent writing called ‘Yellow Write’.

Impact

At St. Joseph’s children will have received many exciting opportunities to extend their skills and understanding in English such as author visits, participating in theatre workshops and entering a wide range of writing competitions. Throughout the year teachers meet in their year group teams and with other schools across the federation to discuss and moderate the children’s writing.  This ensures consistency and provides a forum for discussion and support.

‘Once you learn to read, you will be forever free’. — Frederick Douglass

Intent 

At St. Joseph’s, we recognise the importance of taking a consistent whole federation approach to the teaching of both word reading and comprehension. We have designed a reading offer to suit our school and our children’s needs. We value the love of reading and see it as the foundation to children’s lifelong academic success. 

We commit to ensuring our curriculum immerses the children in Inclusive high quality and vocabulary rich texts, that reflect the school community, the world around them and the diversity of their lived experiences. We expect all children to become fluent, confident readers who enjoy their reading journey with us at St. Joseph’s and beyond.  By the time our pupils leave, we envisage that they will be competent readers who fondly recall the books they

have shared and discussed. Children will be able to recommend books to their peers, seek out books from a range of different genres. dual languages and cultures which include poetry.

 

Implementation 

 Reading is prioritised across the school and it is underpinned by a coherent and systematic phonics scheme which is taught daily, embedded within a reading-rich culture, which includes the development of language and reading for pleasure. All teaching staff have received high quality training in teaching phonics and teaching reading skills. The opportunity to share good practice and to ensure consistency of the same high standards is met across the key stages as it is planned into the staff’s CPD. Reading presents itself through story time, reading lessons, literacy lessons, reading competitions, poetry, singing time, and phonics sessions. Any children who are identified as having any gaps in their phonic knowledge receive further 1:1 intervention targeted to their need.

Impact

We aim for all children to see reading as a cause for celebration, therefore we host regular                                                                events such as World book days, competitions and library visits. Children will develop skills and knowledge that will enable them to enjoy reading and writing as well as enabling them to communicate effectively and creatively with the world at large. Children leave St. Josephs having developed their skills within the spoken language, their vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling. These skills are taught across the curriculum as well as in focused English, guided reading and phonics sessions. Joseph’s children have many exciting opportunities to extend their skills and understanding in reading such as author visits, participating in theatre workshops, and entering a wide range of competitions, performance poetry competition and World Book Day.