English
“A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society”
DfE, National Curriculum
English Curriculum Intent, Implementation and Impact
At Moorfield, English is integral to all areas of our curriculum. We are passionate about developing a love of reading in children across the school, which feeds into our writing lessons and wider curriculum. Children are introduced to a wide range of carefully selected texts from the beginning of their journey at Moorfield, to support both independent reading and class lessons. Teachers and school leaders are passionate about books, and each year all the children participate in two whole-school book studies (including an annual William Shakespeare focus) which immerse the children in high-quality, engaging texts and help further expose them to a wide range of genres and authors which build upon the taught English curriculum. These book studies weave a golden thread of literacy throughout our wider curriculum, linking to different foundation subjects.
Intent
We aim to ensure all children at Moorfield can:
Read easily, fluently and with good understanding;
- Read for pleasure and information, reading across the curriculum and for their own knowledge and enjoyment;
- Secure a broad vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of rules for reading, writing and spoken language;
- Appreciate a range of authors and styles of writing;
- Write clearly, accurately and coherently, for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences;
- Participate in discussions, explaining their points of view and listening to others;
- Confidently take on the roles of speaking and listening in formal presentations and debates.
Developing a love of reading is a life-long habit that is the foundation of everything we do at Moorfield. At the beginning of their journey, pupils should demonstrate an effective application of phonics knowledge and reading strategies to decode and support inference and deduction for comprehension. They will then move to becoming confident independent readers, who are able to demonstrate their understanding of what they have read in a variety of forms, including discussion and debate, unpicking extracts and competing written tasks. Pupils will be inspired by texts they have read in class and use these as a basis for their independent reading.
As they progress through the school, children will be able to read and write across a range of genres with understanding of vocabulary, structure and organisation.
In their writing pupils should be able to apply a range of transcription skills including spelling and handwriting and show an awareness of purpose, audience, vocabulary and form. We strive to develop independent and accurate spellers who are confident to use adventurous vocabulary. Children should develop a legible handwriting style that empowers them to write with speed, confidence and pride.
Pupils should be taught to speak clearly and convey ideas confidently, they should learn to justify ideas with reasons, ask questions to check understanding develop vocabulary and build knowledge, listen to and build on the ideas of others and communicate effectively.
At Moorfield Primary we believe spoken language to be fundamental to the achievement of our pupils. We understand that communication and language are the roots underpinning success in reading and writing and that good communication skills can enhance every type of learning. This is why we ensure that all our children have many opportunities to fully explore their communication and language skills.
Oracy is fundamental to develop the skills to reason, discuss, debate and present their learning in a variety of contexts with increasing skill and confidence. Our pupils are encouraged to explore ideas through discussion, to format their own reasoned arguments, to challenge each other’s opinions, to develop critical thinking skills as well as talk in full sentences with a clear and confident voice. It is our intention to provide an environment that is rich in talk and ensure that, by the time they leave Moorfield, all our pupils are able to communicate effectively and confidently in a range of different situations.
All the skills of the English language are essential to participate fully as a member of society and at Moorfield Primary, children become confident, enthusiastic, independent readers, spellers and writers.
Implementation
Through our text-led English curriculum, we foster pupils’ passion in reading and writing. We value the importance of reading to supplement writing, providing a purpose and a context to writing. We have a well organised and progressive English curriculum that is planned around a sequence of high quality, age-appropriate texts. We provide pupils with a reason for writing to demonstrate their flair and effective composition, leading to high quality outcomes.
Children develop early reading through the use of the RWInc programme from Reception – Year 2. When children are fluent readers, they are taught to develop an understanding of the texts through whole class guided reading – exploring the key themes, events, and plot of the texts being studied alongside reading for pleasure activities.
Writing is an integral part of our curriculum, the writing process is clearly taught in order to establish children as an author in their own right. Pupils are taken on a writing journey which builds their knowledge of writing for context and purpose, allows the opportunities for the children to explore a variety of genres and includes exploring texts, planning, drafting and re-drafting their writing. All children are provided with opportunities to develop and apply their writing skills across the curriculum.
Pupils are taught grammar in line with the National Curriculum, this is linked, by teachers, to genres as part of the writing process. Grammar is covered both as independent lessons and the application of genre specific features and grammatical content is secured through high quality modelled writing.
In EYFS and KS1 spelling and handwriting are taught as part of the Read Write Inc session. Children are also given opportunities outside the session to further practice, consolidate and apply their skills outside of these lessons. In KS2 spelling and handwriting are taught as discrete sessions.
Teachers plan and deliver lessons that suit the individual learning styles of the children within their class. They use their professional judgement and formative assessment to ensure a flexible approach is adopted which adapts teaching to suit the needs of the children whilst maintaining the pace of the lesson.
Children are provided with feedback, either verbally or through written marking, in line with the school’s marking policy. Often, to clarify understanding of a concept, children will be asked to respond to feedback, this is completed by the children at the beginning of the next lesson following the marking policy.
During each academic year, able writers throughout the school are given the opportunity to attend creative writing workshops with a range of professional authors, poets, illustrators and storytellers. These workshops immerse the children in the life of an author, looking at the writing process and inspiring them to be a real writer. These workshops are fun as well as educational so that the children can see that reading and writing are positive experiences which should be enjoyed by all. These workshops involve literacy, socialising, playing and having fun with words and language. The more fun the children can have, the more creative they are in these sessions – sharing the creativity, building confidence and self esteem in a very friendly and supportive environment. They learn invaluable tips and watch how writers work and craft ideas from their first drafts and they alert the children to the importance of planning, being prepared to make mistakes in the journey to completing a finished piece.
Click on the links below to immerse yourself in our world of books!
Book study: The rhythm of the rain
Book study: Traditional Tales
Book study: Somebody Swallowed Stanley
Book study: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Book study: Leon and The Place Between
Click on this link to watch the videos of our book studies!
Year 5 and 6 children will be working with Damien Harvey during the autumn term as part of these AIM High workshops
Impact
Across the school children make good progress from their varied starting points and attainment is in line or exceeds their potential. Attainment is also in line with or exceeding the National Average standards across all Key Stages. We measure this attainment using a range of materials, whilst always considering the expectations for each year group. Teaching and support staff monitor continuously, analysing and evaluating practice that needs to be addressed, reviewed or replaced.
By the end of year 6, children are equipped with a range of English skills for their educational journey and life beyond primary school.
Our text-led approach helps pupils foster a love for reading and an interest in reading for pleasure. At Moorfield Primary School we have a community of enthusiastic speakers, readers and writers who enjoy showcasing their developing literacy knowledge and skills. They are confident to take risks in their reading and writing, and love to discuss and share their ideas.
If you require any further information about the teaching of English at Moorfield Primary School, please contact the school office.
Subject Leads – Helen Hunt, Colette Barrow, Rebecca Hayes
Things you can do at home to help support your child with reading
1.Daily reading.
Reading to and with your child has enormous benefits and home reading is an important part of our homework policy.
All children have a reading book and diary which we require to be filled in at least three times per week. Each half term children will work towards achieving a reading reward – a bronze, silver or gold owl, dependent on the number of times they have read at home.
Reading books and diaries should be in school every day.
Studies have shown that children who read for pleasure have the best chance of future academic and economic success, as well as emotional and wellbeing benefits.
Why not register yourself and your children with Halton library service to enable access to a wide range of books which are free to borrow?
https://library.haltonbc.info/
2.Practise phonics
Work on the sounds sent home with your child as much as possible – all your child’s English skills are underpinned by their reading skills. Make sure you pronounce the sounds correctly.
There are lots of useful online tools to help, and teachers are always happy to give advice or answer any questions you may have.
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/phonics/
3. Practise spellings.
Play games with your child to help them learn their weekly spelling words. You could play hangman, make up silly sentences for your child to write, ‘hide’ the spelling words in a string of letters, play pairs using two word cards for each word, or make a set of bingo cards for the words.
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/english/primary-spelling/weekly-spelling/
4. Don’t be afraid!
Lots of grammar terminology can seem daunting, with terms like fronted adverbials and passive voice, which may be unfamiliar to you.
This website provides definitions for each term as well as activities which can help you and your child secure understanding.
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/at-school/education-glossary/grammar-literacy-glossary-a-c/