ENGLISH

INTENT

At Fairway Primary School, our intent is to deliver an English curriculum which develops children’s love of reading, writing and discussion.

Our aim is that children leave Fairway reading fluently and with understanding. We recognise the importance of creating a culture where children take pride in their writing, can write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of contexts. We want to inspire children to be confident in the art of speaking and listening and use discussion to communicate and further their learning

At Fairway, we encourage children to EXPLORE quality texts from a range of genres, KNOW how to read, comprehend and compose the written form and to COMMUNICATE their knowledge and understanding confidently and effectively.

During their learning journey at Fairway we want children to develop an understanding of the following:

• spoken language
• handwriting
• vocabulary, grammar and punctuation
• spelling
• word reading
• reading comprehension
• writing composition, cohesion and effect

We aim to develop cultural capital in our learners, by empowering them have a strong command of the spoken and written word through exposure to a wide range of genres.  This will prepare them for the next stage of their education and enable them to have the tools they need to become literate citizens.

Inclusion is at the core of our vision and ethos. We have developed opportunities to consider the nine protected characteristics of the Equality Act, British Values and children’s development of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education throughout our English curriculum. We look to develop children’s awareness about the lives of others and this work is constantly changing and developing. 

IMPLEMENTATION

English learning at Fairway Primary School is carefully planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on prior learning and provide progression towards end of year and end of key stage expectations.

At Fairway, our aim is to embed learning from English lessons into the wider curriculum. The English curriculum provides purposeful opportunities for reading, writing, drama and discussion. Each year group uses agreed quality texts to motivate and inspire the children to produce written pieces in different forms.

We follow the Floppy’s Phonics Systematic Synthetic Phonics programme which ensures children are taught to read accurately by recognising and blending sounds. Children’s reading books throughout the school are matched closely to their ability, and the core reading scheme books for Reception and Year 1 children are matched to their developing phonic knowledge and are fully decodable.

Children develop comprehension skills through daily whole class reading lessons and the sharing of class books and novels.

Fluency is explicitly taught during whole class sharing of texts and 1:1 reading sessions. Every child is heard read at least once a week by their teacher or teaching assistant.

English lessons are planned to:

• promote a positive attitude to reading and writing.
• develop a good phonic knowledge to blend and segment in order to decode.
• develop fluency in reading.
• build on prior knowledge.
• encourage children to think about their learning, to reflect on previous learning and make connections between new and existing learning.
• give clear learning objectives and success criteria.
• develop the children’s vocabulary, with adults effectively modelling precise and rich language linked to texts.
• give children opportunities to research, question and draw conclusions.
• give opportunities for children to work collaboratively in pairs or groups as well as work independently.
• use effective questioning to check levels of understanding. 

IMPACT

Our English curriculum enables children to:

• be confident in the art of speaking and listening and to use discussion to communicate and further their learning.
• be able to read fluently both for pleasure and to further their learning.
• have a good understanding of a range fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
• enjoy writing across a range of genres.
• have a wide vocabulary and be adventurous with vocabulary choices within their writing.
• have a good knowledge of how to adapt their writing based on the context and audience.
• leave primary school being able to effectively apply grammar and spelling rules and patterns they have been taught.
• make good and better progress from their starting points to achieve their full potential.