English

At Christ the King Catholic Primary School, we will 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 the medium for teaching; for children, understanding the language will provide access to the whole curriculum. We emphasise the importance of demonstrating high quality reading and writing throughout the curriculum. Teachers plan interesting, stimulating lessons that allow the children to practice and apply their English skills across the curriculum, with opportunities to consolidate and reinforce learning. Please see the files below for further information about the core texts, writing pieces and grammar in each year group.

We follow the National Curriculum for English which 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.

  READING:

  We promote a positive attitude towards reading and hope to instil a lifelong passion for reading in our children. The use of carefully selected class novels for each year group will provide the stimulus for the majority of lessons as well as giving the children the opportunity for Reading for Pleasure. Our aim is to establish each child as a lifetime reader. The children will read with an adult, either 1:1, as part of a guided reading group or through whole class reading. Pupils are taught reading skills such as inference, deduction and how to use a text to retrieve information. We aim to open the minds of our children through the power of reading. Using our wide and growing collection of books, we want to; inspire and engage children, support their understanding of the wider world including culture and diversity and provide role models for the children through a variety of authors.

   

  WRITING

  We have a text-based approach for writing which comes from our core book spine to ensure a broad coverage of texts. Writing genres are planned and taught based on the content of the chosen text. Pupils will build on what they have been taught to expand the range of their writing and the variety of the grammar they use. The writing they do will include narratives, explanations, descriptions, comparisons, summaries and evaluations: such writing supports them in rehearsing, understanding and consolidating what they have heard or read. Children will be regularly provided with WAGOLLs to support them with their understanding of a quality piece of writing and help them to identify key vocabulary and grammar features. They will plan their writing using the texts, discussions, examples and word mats. This will then lead to an end piece of writing. Where opportunities arise, writing is encouraged across the wider curriculum for children to apply their learning and writing techniques.

   

  SPEAKING AND LISTENING:

  Children will be taught to speak clearly and convey ideas confidently using Standard English. They will 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; and select the appropriate register for effective communication. They will be taught to give well-structured descriptions and explanations and develop their understanding through exploring ideas. This will enable them to clarify their thinking as well as organise their ideas for writing. Children will learn from modelling and use of stem sentences to support their spoken language across all areas of speaking and listening.

EYFS

In Early Years Foundation Stage, we are teaching early language and promoting an interest in reading with daily story and rhyme time, in line with the requirements of the 2021 Reading Framework. We aim for children to develop their language and communication through; daily directed tasks, conversations between adults and peers, story-telling and role play. At CtK it is important for our children to develop an interest in a variety of texts from a young age when they are read to and learn to retell familiar stories. In writing, we aim for our children to recognise letters and form most correctly. This will all be achieved through consistent adult modelling and support. 

We have been lucky enough to have some authors in to come and speak with our school to help and inspire our writing. Have a look at some of their visits below:

@RobBiddulph and @HelenRutterUK

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