Rationale
Our over-arching aim at Birchington CE Primary School in English is to create confident speakers, inspiring writers and passionate readers, who can apply their knowledge to thrive in an ever-changing world. We believe the exposure of children’s literature within a primary school setting is vital as a rich context for learning. As such we provide children with opportunities to engage and explore all aspects of English through real life and meaningful experiences which supplement the range of diverse, enriching texts used in our lessons. Our English curriculum is creative and aspirational and considers our children’s unique starting points to enable everyone to achieve their full potential.
English Subject Information
English is an engaging and immersive part of our pupils’ day filled with experience rich lessons based around a range of texts.
In EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 the children follow the Read Write Inc (RWI) scheme for their daily Phonics lessons and in EYFS and Year 1, the children follow the RWI Reading lessons too. This is supplemented with a range of diverse, engaging texts used to support the children’s writing experiences.
Further up the school, RWI provision continues for those who need it alongside the children taking part in whole class reading and English lessons planned by the Class Teachers. The children explore fiction, non-fiction, poetry and more while developing and applying their reading, writing and spoken language skills. The children speak highly of the books they experience in lessons as well as those that they read for pleasure in class. Texts chosen by staff are inclusive and representative while stretching the children’s vocabulary and developing their love for reading.
Through themed days, trips and visits the children are given a range of opportunities to really absorb themselves in enriching and memorable experiences as part of their learning journey.
Subject Overview
The members of the English Hub are Mrs Derbyshire (Hub Driver), Mrs Barber (Phonics Champion), Mrs Couldridge (Spelling and KS1 Writing Lead) and Mrs Highsted (Reading, Library and KS2 Writing Lead). Working together, they oversee the running of English in the school, including reading, writing and phonics.
The National Curriculum for English is broken down into 4 main areas; spoken language, reading, writing and spelling, vocabulary and grammar. Teaching and learning at Birchington is planned and moulded around these areas giving our pupils the best opportunities to develop their skills and excel. This is done through exciting and engaging English lessons planned around texts which stretch and challenge our pupils, while exposing them to a wide range of genres and writing styles.
Spoken language
The National Curriculum for English reflects the importance of spoken language in pupils’ development across the whole curriculum – cognitively, socially and linguistically. Spoken language underpins the development of reading and writing. The quality and variety of language that pupils hear and speak are vital for developing their vocabulary and grammar and their understanding for reading and writing.
Reading
The Programmes of Study for reading in the Early Years and at Key Stages 1 and 2 consist of two dimensions:
Writing
In the Early years, writing involves transcription (spelling and handwriting) and composition (articulating ideas and structuring them in speech, before writing). The Programmes of Study for writing at Key Stages 1 and 2 are constructed similarly to those for reading:
Spelling, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and glossary
Opportunities for teachers to enhance pupils’ vocabulary arise naturally from their reading and writing. As vocabulary increases, teachers should show pupils how to understand the relationships between words, how to understand nuances in meaning, and how to develop their understanding of, and ability to use, figurative language.
Pupils should be taught to control their speaking and writing consciously and to use Standard English. Throughout the Programmes of Study, teachers should teach pupils the vocabulary they need to discuss their reading, writing and spoken language. It is important that pupils learn the correct grammatical terms in English and that these terms are integrated within teaching.
Lessons at Birchington
Across the school, the children follow the ‘Read Write Inc’ (RWI) programme for phonics lessons. In the EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2, the children take part in daily phonics lessons and further up the school RWI is used for intervention groups. In Years 2 - 6, the children take part in whole class daily reading sessions to ensure that all children are exposed to rich and challenging texts to support the development of their English skills. Through taking this daily approach to reading lessons, children are given the opportunity to become familiar with a text, it's layout, new vocabulary and writing styles.
The English curriculum at Birchington is built around real-life happenings that children experience through our hook lessons. At the very minimum, children take part in one hook lesson per text; when they begin a new text, to engage and absorb them in the story. Hook lessons bring learning to life for the children whether it be through a visitor to school, an art or DT activity or a mystery to be solved in the classroom. Children experience and feel the real-life magic of a story and use this energy and excitement to apply to their learning throughout the term.
Spelling is taught using a range of interactive and printed resources to suit a range of learning styles as they learn the spellings from their year group Programme of Study. Spelling Shed is used in school and at home to support children in their learning.
For more information about Read Write Inc please click here.
Long Term Planning
All of our planning across the English Curriculum is based on the appropriate Year Group Programme of Study.
Use the link below to be redirected to the gov.uk website with the complete PoS documents for KS1 and KS2. English programmes of study: key stages 1 and 2 (English programmes of study: key stages 1 and 2).