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Our Lady's Catholic Primary School

Jesus the teacher guides our every step

English

The English Curriculum is delivered using the National Curriculum 2014 and the Early Learning Goals are followed to ensure continuity and progression from the Foundation Stage through to the National Curriculum. KS1 and KS2 classes discretely teach English four times a week.

 

To teach English, we structure reading through a variety of approaches from 1:1 reading, guided reading sessions, whole class reading sessions as well as incorporating it into English sessions. Children use the Sounds Write and Oxford Reading Tree Scheme to support the teaching of reading. We actively promote reading for pleasure and undertake many activities to encourage it, including teachers reading to the whole class. Children are also encouraged to read daily at home. The children also design their own class reading corners to further promote a love of reading. Phonics is taught daily for 20 minutes in EYFS and KS1 using the Sounds Write Scheme, with any appropriate intervention strategies continuing into KS2.

 

Emergent writing occurs in Early Years Foundation Stage where children are given regular opportunities to write freely within a particular genre and across the curriculum. Writing lessons across KS1 and KS2 incorporate Bob Cox and Talk for Writing strategies including ‘hot’ writing opportunities. Shared and guided writing incorporates the opportunity for short burst writing to help children develop an understanding of the concept being studied. There are also frequent opportunities for independent writing throughout the other curriculum areas. 'Hot Writes' are used as a form of extended writing opportunities as well as assessment at the end of English topics.  Handwriting is taught throughout the school using a cursive handwriting script and interventions are put in place when and where necessary.  We teach children key spelling, punctuation and grammar skills linked to the topics being taught, these are taught through the text and discretely to encourage children to apply these skills into their writing.

 

Oracy (speaking and listening skills) permeates the whole curriculum. Interactive teaching strategies are used to engage all pupils in order to raise communication, reading and writing standards. Children are encouraged to develop effective communication skills in readiness for later life. Oracy has been encompassed into our learning behaviours as a key life skill.

 

Long-term assessments are undertaken through a combination of teacher assessment and end of year tests. The tests used are the national tests at the end of Year 6 and the optional tests for Years 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

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