English - Click here for the English National Curriculum.
READING
At Hextable Primary school we are passionate about developing children’s love for reading. We aim for all children to read independently, to develop an understanding of what they have read and become engaged and motivated readers.
Reading is taught in English lessons as well as group, guided reading sessions and phonics sessions which take place daily. These sessions provide children with access to a range of high quality texts. Teachers work with each group on texts suitable for the development of reading skills of the children. We use Read Write Inc books in EYFS and KS1 , and the Oxford Reading Tree scheme in KS2, to match children's reading books to their reading ability. Every classroom has an inviting reading area. Teachers read aloud to the class regularly, using highly recommended texts, many of which are from the 'Power of Reading 'Scheme, as well as during ‘story time’ sessions. A love of reading and shared excitement is evident through the sharing of a wide range of high quality texts of various styles.
Early Phonics and Reading Phonics is at the heart of teaching children to become independent readers. Children are explicitly taught the sounds related to each letter or combination of letters and learn how to apply this knowledge when reading. Both the reading and spelling of tricky or exception words are also taught so that children are encouraged to recognise these words on sight. Teachers follow the Read Write Inc systematic phonics programme.
Please click here to go to the Ruth Miskin Read Write Inc webpage.
WRITING
Children learn how to communicate effectively in a wide range of writing styles. We ensure the children have exciting and stimulating things to write about in different aspects of our curriculum. Children are exposed to a range of different texts, videos and experiences to help them write purposeful, relevant pieces of work. They learn how to organise their own work so it suits the purpose, and they are taught to edit and improve their writing, and do so regularly.
GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION
Children are taught about the way language works through their reading and writing and discuss the differences in spoken language and the written word. Specific grammar and punctuation content is assigned to particular year groups and matches the national curriculum expectations from 2014.
SPELLING
Children learn a range of different spelling patterns set out in our phonics and spelling programmes. Alongside a structured programme of spelling patterns and rules we teach children to read and spell red words and green words or tricky words in each year group. Children are expected to learn particular spellings identified in their own work.
HANDWRITING
Handwriting is taught from Reception. Cursive handwriting is begun in Year 3. When children are able to join accurately and their writing is consistent in size they will be awarded with their pen license which allows them to write in pen.
SPEAKING AND LISTENING
Throughout the curriculum there is a strong emphasis on enabling children to use language to work together effectively. Research has shown the importance of the link between spoken language, learning and cognitive development. Through using language and hearing how others use it, children become able to describe the world, make sense of life's experiences and get things done. They learn to use language as a tool for thinking, collectively and alone.
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