.png){kind=logo}
English at St Peter's
At St Peter’s we have created a curriculum that encourages children to become the best versions of themselves so they can use spoken and written language to communicate effectively- to listen, speak, read and write both in and for a wide range of contexts, purpose and audiences.
We want our children to read fluently and with confidence in any subject. We want them to have a love of reading and to want to read for themselves in order to inspire and enlighten their core values and deepen their understanding.
We want our children to acquire a wide and varied vocabulary to make them eloquent, wise and compassionate in their choice and use of words. The children will have a good understanding of grammar in context and to be able to spell new words by applying the spelling patterns and rules they learn throughout their time at St Peter’s.
We want our children to write clearly, succinctly and coherently, adapting their language and style as necessary. We want children to understand that all good writers refine and edit their writing thoughtfully and critically. This is part of the writing process which leads to an outcome which is mindful of its purpose and effect upon the reader or audience. We want all children to take pride in the presentation of their writing and aim to develop a legible, joined handwriting style.
We recognise that each child has their own starting point and progress is measured, guided and facilitated to ensure that every child can celebrate success and be the best they can be.
Curriculum Design
At St Peter’s we want all of our pupils to be capable readers, writers, spellers and speakers, who can transfer their English skills to other curriculum subjects and who are prepared for the next steps in their education. Our English lessons develop pupils’ spoken language, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary. English is often taught in a cross-curricular way, linking up with other areas of the curriculum.
We teach our pupils to speak clearly, to convey their ideas fluently and confidently and to ask questions; the use of Talk for Writing activities across the school supports this. We know the value of excellent vocabulary and this is developed and practised across our curriculum constantly. We use Talk for Writing to encourage pupils to express their ideas, discuss their ideas and to develop more sophisticated vocabulary.
Our pupils are encouraged to read for pleasure and to read widely through our reading scheme and the Accelerated Reading programme. Our guided reading sessions cover a wide variety of both fiction and non-fiction books and help to advance the children’s comprehension skills. Parents are given reading guidance and clear expectations about reading at home.
We use Read, Write Inc. for our phonics programme. Phonic awareness helps the development of reading by segmenting and blending sounds and the children will be heard reading regularly, both individually and in groups.
We develop writing skills so that our children have the stamina and ability to write at the age expected standard. To support children in moving towards independent writing we provide a wide range of activities including the use of film and imagery, music, IT, modelled, shared and guided writing, peer assessment and discussion. We provide varied and exciting opportunities for writing for purpose and we encourage pupils to see themselves as authors and poets. We promote the importance of written work by providing a writing purpose and opportunities for children’s writing to be read aloud and listened to by an audience. Handwriting sessions are regularly incorporated into the English lessons.
We have developed a range of extra activities which are used to promote English within the school including; World Book Day, weekly class writers’ awards, and author visits.
English |