Intent

• To develop strong speaking and listening skills that allow children to express themselves and communicate confidently across a range of purposes and contexts
• For all children to be able to fluently read and understand a wide range of texts appropriate to a child of their age
• For all children to be exposed to texts that reflect the diverse community we live in
• For all children to read widely and often in their own time, expressing opinions about books and authors
• For all children to see themselves as writers, creating independent pieces for a range of purposes, that are both creative and technically proficient
• To provide a secure foundation of the English Language to prepare children for their transition into secondary education and beyond

Implementation

We develop pupils’ spoken language, reading, writing and vocabulary as integral aspects of the teaching of every subject. English is both a subject in its own right and provides access to the whole curriculum. Fluency in the English language is an essential foundation for success in all subjects.

Phonics

In EYFS and Key Stage 1 phonics is taught daily using the Little Wandle Letter & Sounds program at a discrete dedicated time. Children are assessed each half term to identify anyone who requires further support. Formative assessment also detects those pupils who would benefit from daily catch up. For home learning, weekly spelling or sound investigations are matched to the work that has been covered in sessions that week. Children who are within the lowest 20% of readers beyond KS1 also access Little Wandle using the Rapid Catch up program. 

Reading

Reading is at the heart of all learning at Chorlton CE. Guided Reading sessions take place each morning across both Key Stages. Children in EYFS have regular opportunities to read with the class teacher as well as being exposed to books in all areas of their continuous provision. Children have access to a range of quality fiction and non-fiction texts that compliment other areas of the curriculum and broaden their vocabulary. Reading for pleasure is promoted throughout the school and children read independently, with their peers, buddies and other adults. To further children's enjoyment of books, they also have stories read to them.

Spoken Language

Developing language skills is at the heart of education and learning. Our curriculum ensures that children are taught to speak clearly and convey ideas confidently using Standard English. They also learn to justify ideas with reasons; ask questions to check understanding; develop vocabulary and build knowledge; negotiate; evaluate and build on the ideas of others. They are taught to give well-structured descriptions and explanations and develop their understanding through speculating, hypothesising and exploring ideas. This enables them to clarify their thinking as well as organise their ideas for writing.

Writing

At Chorlton CE children are immersed in high quality, diverse texts that inspire children to write for a range of genres, with a clear purpose and audience. Where possible, writing is linked to learning in other areas of the curriculum to help children to make associations. Writing lessons follow a phased approach including reading, speaking and listening and writing with the explicit teaching of grammar embedded throughout units of work .  Children have the opportunity to observe teachers modelling writing as well as participating in shared writing activities.  Throughout the writing process children are encouraged to proof read, edit and re-draft their writing following feedback from their peers and their teacher and have the opportunity to revisit previously taught knowledge and skills to ensure that they develop increasingly complex mental models by integrating new knowledge and prior knowledge and by applying this knowledge for a range of purposes and audiences in their writing.  Children and peer assess their writing using rules and tools which are displayed in the classroom.  Published work can be found on displays and is celebrated with the wider school community.

Handwriting

We provide regular opportunities for children to develop, practise and perfect skills and provide targeted support to any child experiencing difficulty. Handwriting is taught weekly to a whole class or groups of children and then practised. In Foundation Stage and KS1 we have introduced the Penpals handwriting scheme, and Little Wandle letter formations. As the children move through school they will continue to use the scheme through KS2, moving onto cursive joins.

Our English curriculum is also drawn from: 

• Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised
• Spelling Shed  
• Penpals handwriting programme 
• Benchmarking for reading 
• Primary Literacy Consultancy

Impact

Children enjoy English lessons and can articulate clearly what they have learned.  They talk passionately about books, discuss their favourite authors and often bring books into school to share with their class and teachers.  Children care about supporting their peers to read and many volunteer their free time to 'buddy up' and share a book with younger children.  Pupils view themselves as authors recognising the writing process from being able to voice their ideas through to planning to publishing.  

Children enjoy English lessons and can articulate clearly what they have learned. They talk passionately about books, discuss their favourite authors and often bring books into school to share with their class and teachers.  Children care about supporting their peers to read and many volunteer their free time to 'buddy up' and share a book with younger children.  By the time children leave us, they read confidently for meaning and regularly enjoy reading for pleasure. Our readers are equipped with the tools to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary. Pupils view themselves as authors recognising the writing process from being able to voice their ideas through to planning to publishing.  

Please see the whole school Progression and Overview documents below: