Approach

We follow a Literature Led Curriculum, based on the principles of Take One Book (a flexible, literature based framework for teaching English). Texts are carefully selected to provide a balance of narrative, non-fiction and poetry forms, ensuring coverage of all aspects of the National Curriculum.  Chosen texts deliver increasing complexity of concept, theme and vocabulary and become more challenging as the children progress through the age groups.

Spelling is based on the Rising stars scheme and is set as homework weekly.

Grammar and punctuation is typically taught through text, where appropriate, and discreetly, in accordance with the National Curriculum expectations for each year group as well as in response to need (as identified by the teacher).

Children write in response to the selected literature, with teachers choosing how best to respond to the text while ensuring a range of writing styles are covered. We use elements from the Shirley Clark approach of examining examples of the text, identify the features of structure, vocabulary and any key grammatical features, planning, writing, re-drafting, with children encouraged to edit and improve as they write. Success is celebrated as children publish their best pieces in a Best Book which follows them through from year 1.

Children complete cross curricular writing in their Learning Books regularly.

Vocabulary is taught explicitly using the principles from ‘STAR’ approach, based on the ‘Word Aware’ scheme in both English, reading and topic sessions.

In EYFS we follow a story-making story-telling approach to developing language and reading which is based on current research. Texts and stimuli are chosen to follow the topics, children’s interests and current events (festivals, celebrations and weather events e.g. snow days.)