‘English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others, and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society; pupils who do not learn to speak, read and write fluently and confidently are effectively disenfranchised.’ (DFE, 2014)
At Ringway, pupils acquire and apply the skills necessary for good levels of reading and writing. This is through a range of teaching approaches which meet the specific needs of our pupils. Our pupils’ fluency and comprehension of reading is developed whilst encouraging pupils’ pleasure of reading. Pupils’ writing skills are developed through extending their vocabulary and grammar skills progressively from year to year. Our pupils develop the ability to think creatively when producing their own pieces of writing. They are supported in building confidence (self-belief) and perseverance when developing their reading skills and improving their writing skills. Pupils’ work collaboratively to discuss and dramatize texts, sharing ideas and opinions. We respect each other’s thoughts and ideas. When sharing texts, pupils are encouraged to be curious about what is happening in the text and the choices the author has made. We aim to read a variety of texts promoting equality and celebrating differences. It is through this intent, that we aim for pupils to develop lifelong skills in reading and writing when it comes time for them to leave Ringway and continue their learning journey.
At Ringway Primary School, English is an integral part of our curriculum and we are extremely passionate in our teaching of the subject. All children from Foundation Stage through to Year 6 are provided with a wide variety of opportunities to develop and apply their writing skills across the primary curriculum. The wide variety of texts we use across each year group not only underpin children’s learning in reading, writing, speaking and listening, but enhance and underpin learning across the wider curriculum. These quality texts lie at the heart of our English curriculum. These texts are carefully selected by class teachers using the ‘Literature Works’ framework and are studied in-depth in class each half term. Our overall intention is for pupils to be able to plan, revise and evaluate their writing. To be able to do this effectively, pupils will focus on developing effective transcription and effective composition. They will also develop an awareness of the audience, purpose and context, and an increasingly wide knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. We also intend for pupils to leave school being able to use fluent, legible and speedy handwriting.
Our Intent for our English curriculum here at Ringway is:
- To provide consistent and progressive phonics teaching in the early teaching of reading.
- To ensure children are able to read easily, fluently and with good understanding.
- To enrich children’s reading experiences through immersing them in quality literature.
- To develop understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.
- To ensure children are able to write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences.
- To develop an appreciation of our rich and varied literary heritage through the celebration of quality texts across a range of genres, including a balance of old and new classic texts, poetry, non-fiction across the curriculum, stories, rhymes and new and popular authors.
- To promote reading for both pleasure and information.
- To ensure the continual development of pupils’ confidence and competence in spoken language and listening skills.