Our English Curriculum

At Shotton Primary School our English curriculum aims to promote high standards of language and literacy through equipping children with a strong command of the spoken and written word and to develop a love of literature through reading for pleasure. This is essential to participating fully as a member of society.

Our curriculum aims to ensure:

• Children read fluently
• Children develop a habit of reading for both information and pleasure
• Children acquire a wide and ambitious vocabulary
• Children develop a comprehensive understanding of grammar
• Children appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
• Children are able to write clearly, accurately and coherently for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
• Children explain their ideas and understanding
• Children are competent in speaking and listening

English skills are taught discreetly throughout the week, including handwriting, spelling, phonics teaching and reading skills. English lessons follow a teaching sequence where reading for meaning is paramount and children are encouraged to develop a higher order deep level of understanding.

Children are exposed to a variety of texts from our literary heritage, including modern and classic texts and use these ideas in their reading analysis and writing. 

Writing

The writing curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all children. It provides opportunities for children to develop as independent, confident and successful writers, with high aspirations, who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society.  Our intent is for all pupils – irrespective of their needs, abilities or background – to learn to write fluently, developing their own writer’s voice.  

We aim to meet, and where possible exceed, the expectations laid out in the Early Learning Goals and National Curriculum, with pupils progressing appropriately across school. We recognise that spoken language underpins the development of writing.

The quality of language that pupils hear and speak is vital for developing their vocabulary and grammar and their understanding.  We believe that children need to develop a secure knowledge-base in literacy, which follows a clear pathway of progression as they advance through the primary curriculum.

We believe that a secure basis in literacy skills is crucial to a high quality education and will give our children the tools they need to participate fully as a member of society.  We cultivate a love of writing and communicating, through vocabulary rich and high quality literature, using Ready Steady Write by Literacy Counts.

By inspiring and developing an appreciation of our rich and varied literary heritage and providing meaningful and exciting provocations to write,  we develop a habit of writing widely and often. We recognise the importance of nurturing a culture where children:

1. Take pride in their writing;
2. Can write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of contexts.  

Reading

Reading is embedded into all areas of the curriculum. We follow RWInc and as such during discrete sessions in Reception and Key Stage One, children read both fiction and non-fiction books that are closely matched to their phonic knowledge. Once fluent, children can choose from a range of books that are aligned to their reading ability. KS2 children who are not yet fluent continue on the RWInc programme and within Years 5 and 6 the Fresh Start programme is also utilised where appropriate and necessary. We are a RWInc school supported by Ruth Miskin consultants.

From Year 1-Year 6, children are taught reading skills in whole class sessions including, retrieval, summarising and inference skills with children receiving 1:1 tutoring and reading sessions where appropriate.

Reading for pleasure is important at Shotton Primary School to foster a love of reading. Teachers read a novel to their class at the end of each day from a chosen list of recommended texts. Books are also available in class reading corners and at playtime. All children have access to our school library to borrow a book of their own choice and take it home to share. 

It is our belief that through high expectations, exposure to a variety of high quality texts and opportunities to read widely and often, children will develop into successful readers and learners, achieve their full potential and have the necessary skills to continue their life long journey.

Learning today for a successful tomorrow...

At Shotton Primary School we see our English curriculum as a platform upon which children can learn and develop the transferable employability skills of listening, speaking, problem solving, creativity, staying positive, aiming high, leadership and teamwork, alongside an awareness of specific careers within the field of literacies, including digital literacies.

Command of and proficiency in reading, writing and the spoken word are all essential skills that children need to master for a successful tomorrow - enabling exciting and valuable opportunities to be accessible for all.