English

INTENT

Good literacy skills are crucial in underpinning high-quality education and will give our children the tools they need to participate fully as members of society. We want our children to experience opportunities that enthuse and enable them to express themselves using a rich and varied vocabulary.

We intend for our English curriculum to develop children’s love of reading, writing and discussion. The school values within The St Lawrence Way are for pupils to: be responsible; encourage others; show respect and try our best and through the development of their English skills, we are confident that these values can be strengthened. Similarly, the skills learnt in English help children to become active and reliable citizens who can uphold the British Values of democracy,

Through reading fiction and non-fiction, we aim for our pupils to develop and understanding of the world and become more informed culturally, socially, emotionally and spiritually. We also want them to have great fun and enjoy the wonderful stories told by authors.

Through writing, we aim for our pupils to articulate their ideas, give explanations, be creative and transcribe information clearly for others to understand.

Through spoken language and performance, we aim for our pupils to communicate confidently, discuss/debate topics and entertain others.

IMPLEMENTATION

At St Lawrence’s we teach the children:

• to hold a pencil/pen correctly
• to listen and respond to others;
• to ask a range of questions in different scenarios;
• to listen to others and respond to what they have heard;
• to articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions;
• to speak clearly and fluently in order to gain the interest of listeners;
• to use language to express imaginative ideas, to hypothesise and to make suggestions;
• to say and read letter sounds and letter names;
• to respond swiftly with the correct sound for 40+ phonemes;
• to read by blending sounds in unfamiliar words;
• to apply phonic knowledge to read words via decoding (Bug Club Phonics);
• to read tricky words (exceptions) and contractions (I’ll, it’s etc.)
• how to read aloud a range of phonically decodable reading books (fiction and non-fiction);
• comprehension skills (both listening and reading);
• handwriting skills – letter formation and how to write using a cursive style;
• to write legibly, fluently and with increasing speed;
• to use a wide range of vocabulary (varied and specific) in all subjects of the curriculum;
• how to spell words and strategies to learn new words (using a dictionary or thesaurus);
• to understand spelling rules and patterns (and exceptions);
• how to construct sentences and write in paragraphs;
• to retrieve, record and present information;
• how to punctuate sentences using a variety of punctuation and use correct grammar;
• to justify their views verbally and in writing;
• to read different forms of poetry and learn some by heart to recite to an audience;
• to write poetry;
• to read and perform plays;
• to read a wide range of books including myths, legends, traditional stories and modern fiction;
• write book reviews and make recommendations to others;
• to assess the effectiveness of their own and others’ writing;
• to proofread for spelling and punctuation errors.

IMPACT

• In 2022, 95% of our Year 6 pupils attained the expected standard (or above) in Reading, which was well above the national average of 74%.
• In 2022, 82% of our Year 6 pupils attained the expected standard (or above) in Writing, which was above the national average of 67%.
• All pupils from Reception to Year take in the end of year show – Mary Poppins in July 2022.
• An annual competition awards prizes for pupils who have excelled with writing throughout the year.
• Excellent pieces of writing are often included in the school newsletter.
• Pupils are given the opportunity to express themselves in an annual talent show.
• KS2 pupils use their knowledge of literature to request new books for their library.
• The school participates in exciting activities organised annually by Shropshire Bookfest, which gives pupils opportunities to review new fiction, excel in reading challenges and speak to authors.
• Children are reading regularly at home and at school, with those children who are unable to read regularly at home getting additional sessions at school with members of staff or volunteers. This ensures all children are enjoying reading books.
• Children write the biographies to accompany posters of influential people which are displayed around school.
• Annual poetry recital competition (new) rewards pupils who have learnt poems by heart and can deliver them in style.