English

Intent, Implementation, Impact

Intent:

The main intent of our English curriculum is to enable our young learners to develop fluency and accuracy in all aspects of English by encountering a range of situations, audiences and activities. By immersing our children in quality literature we aim to develop their powers of imagination and creativity that can be applied not just in English but across the curriculum. Ultimately, we want all our pupils to be able to express their opinions, ideas and feelings through the different forms of language and to develop the skills and abilities to communicate effectively as speakers, readers and writers; enabling them to participate as confident, literate members of society.

Implementation:

The Statutory Framework for EYFS 2021 is followed to ensure continuity and progression through to the National Curriculum. English is accessed through the Early Learning Goals linked to the specific area ‘Literacy and Communication & Language’ and is taught through continuous provision, listening to a range of stories and rhymes and topic work that give further opportunities for developing the skills of oracy, phonics and letter formation.

Y1-Y6 Long term and medium term planning is taken from the National Curriculum for English, 2014. By linking English directly to other areas of learning, we provide opportunities for our children to take pleasure in all aspects of Literacy including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama though meaningful learning. Spelling is taught according to National curriculum objectives but planned strategically by teachers. Key Stage one provide spellings inline with the phonics they have been learning that week. Through daily English lessons, punctuation and grammar are modelled and all key English skills are consolidated with a range of practice activities that can be differentiated to meet the needs of year group expectations. Technology (such as ‘Reading Eggs’) is used widely to inspire and motivate children to practise their key skills. Teacher and peer discussion and feedback is used in lessons - which helps our children develop strategies to self-evaluate, correct, review and improve their written work even further. Outdoor learning, trips, authors visits, workshops, plays, clubs, competitions and theme days are carefully planned throughout the year to enrich our pupil’s enjoyment and encourage mastery of English.

Assessment descriptions of each year group’s writing criteria can be found in the pupil’s Superstar Writing books which are updated regularly. Reading tests are completed at least termly (Key Stage 2) and several pieces of independent writing are assessed each half term. Teacher assessments (TA) of all English is made from a variety of sources but we evidence most learning in children’s books.

Impact:

The intended impact is for the majority of children in each year group to be working at or above the expected standards for their age. In addition to this, we want them to be: inspired by all forms of literature; learn more; be able to show progression in their subject knowledge and skills as well as their application of English across the curriculum; be able to discuss their learning and have key concepts embedded into their long term memory and finally to understand where their learning in English can take them into the future!