English

English at KINS

Curriculum Intent

English has a prominent place in education and in society. We believe that a quality English curriculum should develop and flourish children’s love of reading, writing and discussion. One of our priorities is helping children read and develop their comprehension and fluency skills through effective phonics using the systematic synthetics phonics programme Little Wandle Letters and Sounds. 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 their educational journey. We believe that a secure basis in English skills is crucial to a high quality education and will give our children the tools they need to participate fully as a member of society.

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

Implementation

We have a rigorous and well organised 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 motivate and inspire our children. Teachers also ensure that cross curricular links with concurrent topic work are woven into the programme of study. All pupils receive a daily English lesson. 

In our school; 

• Teachers create a positive reading and writing culture in school, where both are promoted, enjoyed and considered ‘a pleasure’ for all pupils.

• Promotion of reading through teachers reading out loud regularly to their class.

• Pupils in EYFS and KS1 to have daily phonics sessions, following Letters and Sounds Little Wandle.

• Year 1-2, to use the Letter Join Handwriting scheme, delivering regular sessions.

• Age appropriate and phonics related spellings sent home weekly for pupils to practise their words and to write a sentence containing each word at home. Tested each Friday.

• Guided Reading sessions in all classes covering the three sessions of reading set out by Little Wandle.

• Pupils are being adventurous with vocabulary choices.

• Pupils to acquire strategies to enable them to become independent learners in English (spelling rules and patterns and how to tackle unfamiliar words when reading).

• Pupils to discuss and to present their ideas to each other by talking and being able to elaborate and explain themselves clearly.

• Working Walls – all classes aiding pupils and guiding them through the process of Reading, Planning and Writing.

• Talk for Writing - all classes to be using 'talk for writing' techniques to support oral storytelling as well as develop the ability to write creatively and powerfully at an early age. 

• Vocabulary promoted throughout school displayed as vocabulary flowers, all curriculum areas, enhancing and encouraging a wider use of vocabulary.

• Vocabulary to be included on the Medium Term Plans across school.

• Teaching a range of genres across the school (progressing in difficulty) both in English and other curriculum areas; resulting in pupils being exposed to, and knowledgeable about, literary styles, authors and genres. They can express preferences and give opinions about different texts.

Impact

The impact and measure of this is to ensure children not only acquire the appropriate age-related knowledge, but also skills which equip them to progress from their starting points, and within their everyday lives.

Long term pupils will:

• be confident in the art of speaking and listening and to be able to use discussion to communicate and further their learning

• be able to read fluently both for pleasure and to further their learning

• enjoy writing across a range of genres

• pupils of all abilities will be able to succeed in all English lessons because work will be appropriately scaffolded

• have a wide vocabulary and be adventurous with vocabulary choices within their writing

• have a good knowledge of how to adapt their writing based on the context and audience

• leave infant school being able to effectively apply most spelling rules correctly and be able to spot patterns they have been taught

• make good and better progress from their starting points to achieve their full potential

We hope that as children move on from Killamarsh Infant and Nursery School to further their education and learning that their creativity, joy and love of reading and writing travel with them and continue to grow and develop as they do.