English at Summerbank
Our Curriculum Intent
We believe that skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing are essential to everyday life. It is vital that children develop well in all of these areas during their time in primary education as it provides them with a strong set of skills as they move into secondary school. English is also about having the cultural literacy, fluency and enjoyment of words that allows us to engage fully in the world around us.
The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:
- read easily, fluently and with good understanding
- develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
- acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
- appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
- write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
- use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
- are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
A Bespoke Curriculum for Summerbank
To support children in developing their skills within English we use the Read Write Inc phonics scheme as the prime teaching method in the beginning years of school. During Year 2 most children will then move on to our Story Topic Curriculum. Story Topic is the use of a central high quality text as a focus for planning over a term or half-term. Through this, teachers support children to develop speaking and listening skills, reading and writing in a fun, engaging and motivating way linked to the wider curriculum. It is an approach that is flexible, supporting developing a curriculum which is responsive to both national and local need and relevant to the children in our school.
Our Story Topic Texts are supplemented by high quality non-fiction writing as well as a discreet poetry strand that runs throughout school. Teachers are supported in planning through progression documents and a clear undertanding of age-related expectations.
Our Curriculum Drivers are embeded within our approach to support children in learning effectively:
Making Connections with other curriculum areas to draw on knowledge developed across the curriculum to aid comprehension of stories (for example reading ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ whilst studying WW2) and also to put study from other subjects into context.
Use of Story over a period of time allows children to focus in depth on characters and plot. Our Story Topic texts are carefully selected to provide an appropriate level of challenge for all children.
Communication, Language & Vocabulary is a central theme through all of our English Teaching.
Knowledge of the World is supported through the wider understanding of the context of stories and use of non-fiction texts to support understanding.
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