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At Exmoor Link Federation we strive to nurture children who are fully literate and articulate, and are prepared for their secondary education and later life. Through engaging lessons, we aim to foster a love of literacy and language and an enjoyment of learning. We challenge children of all abilities and ensure they make good progress in all areas of the English National Curriculum. They are encouraged to have a growth mind-set and to develop the skills of perseverance and resilience. Through reading in particular, pupils are given a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. We celebrate children’s hard work and effort, as well as their success. They are encouraged to revisit their work, making changes and developing their ideas to ensure they achieve their best.

 

Aims

In each setting we aim for our children to:

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;

Be competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.

 

National Curriculum 2014:

Achieving and Maintaining High Standards

‘Teachers should 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 pupils, understanding the language provides access to the whole curriculum. Fluency in the English language is an essential foundation for success in all subjects.’

 

This underpins all teaching and learning at East Anstey and Bishops Nympton. We have an agreed approach to developing children’s English:

• Facilitate children’s articulation, reading and writing, through a synthetic phonics (Letters and Sounds) and No Nonsense teaching programme;

• Plan and teach using Teaching Sequences tailored to the needs of our children at each stage of their learning - developing the four main strands of the curriculum: Spoken Language, Reading, Writing, and Spelling, Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation;

• Develop children’s enjoyment of, and skills in reading through weekly Guided Reading sessions and additional 1:1 reading, where appropriate. Tasks include discussion and debate, analysis of text, as well as decoding and comprehension;

• Teach basic skills including cursive handwriting and spelling through modelling, discussion and giving children regular opportunities to practise and develop;

• Differentiate effectively without ‘labelling’ children into fixed groupings. Children are encouraged and guided to select the challenge level of their work wherever appropriate.

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How do teachers plan English delivery?

We follow the National Curriculum in English for KS1 and KS2. The programmes of study are fully integrated in to our Primary Learning Pathways subject progression and English Linear Programme

Phonics is planned across Key Stage One and into Key Stage Two where the need arises. Teaching and learning combines reading, spelling, handwriting and spoken language. It is taught daily in ability groups, based on the needs of the children. Across each school, we use Teaching Sequences to develop the children’s literacy, exposing them to a variety of genres and text types. Teachers use the Linear Progression document to create medium term plans, selecting quality texts which exemplify the area of learning to be developed. Sequences include the development of composition, transcription, grammar, vocabulary and punctuation. Reading is also developed within sequences, but also given further focus in Guided Reading sessions.

 

Across the federation our Guided Reading delivery is planned to develop discussion, decoding and comprehension. We use a variety of texts designed to evoke enthusiasm and interest, as well as to develop understanding. Forging a connection with the text culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually is also promoted.

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Reading

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Writing

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Spoken Word

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What about our youngest learners?

In Reception, we plan from the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS). On entry judgements are made to identify each child’s starting point and ensure teaching and learning meets the needs of all. A mixture of child initiated planning and accurate assessment ensures an exciting and hands on cross curricular approach to enable children to make good progress. Phonics is taught daily, based on the needs of children. Teaching and learning combines reading, spelling, handwriting and spoken language. Shared and modelled reading, plus regular story time, fosters a love of books. Children are actively encouraged to read and practise keywords at home. Writing is promoted across the curriculum using both the inside and outside learning environments. Children’s progress is tracked and evidenced through photos, observations and self -initiated activities. 

 

 

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