English at Fellgate

Subject Lead: Mr S. Graham

On this page, you can find information about our English curriculum at Fellgate Primary.

Intent

At Fellgate Primary School Primary School, English and the teaching of English is the foundation of our curriculum. Our main aim is to ensure every single child becomes primary literate and progresses in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. English at Fellgate Primary School will not only be a daily discrete lesson but is pivotal to the entire curriculum.

It is embedded within all our lessons and we strive for a high level of English for all. Using high-quality texts, immersing children in vocabulary rich learning environments and ensuring high curriculum expectations and the progression of skills are met. The children at Fellgate Primary School are exposed to a language heavy, creative and continuous English curriculum which will not only enable them to become primary literate but will also develop a love of reading, creative writing and purposeful speaking and listening.  At Fellgate Primary School, our vision is for the passion of quality literature to drive our English curriculum and for children to learn new skills in an engaging and purposeful way. All of our English planning is underpinned by the National Curriculum.

Improving the quality and standard of reading across our school is our mission!

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

The teaching of reading in Fellgate Primary School is given high priority by all staff.  It is a vital life skill and is essential as the key to independent learning and the reading scheme we follow is ‘Project X’. Furthermore, staff aim to promote a love of reading for pleasure and enjoyment and show children the opportunities that can arise from being a reader, not just now, but in the future also…

We are clear in our belief that reading is a multi-strategy approach to understanding the written word. It is not simply mastering the art of decoding, but involves the ability to read with understanding a wide range of texts including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and real-life texts such as labels and captions.

Implementation

English is the bedrock of a valuable education at Fellgate Primary School. Developing a love of reading and exposure to rich vocabulary is essential for all learners. The use of high-quality texts ensures that children develop their reading skills but also learn to look critically and begin to understand authorial techniques. It is our aim that children leave Fellgate Primary School being proficient, accurate and fluent readers.

We use Jolly phonics phonics to teaching Phonics and Reading in EYFS and KS1. Our approach is systematic, consistent and rigorous in order that all children become readers as quickly as possible. At Fellgate Primary School, we teach English so that: children write in a range of genres with a sense of audience and an understanding of purpose. The writing process is robust and shows clear progression for all children. Each year group is taught the explicit grammar, punctuation and spelling objectives required for that age group.  Writing is taught using a range of quality texts, which exposes the children to inference, high-level vocabulary, a range of punctuation and characterisation.  Each text is purposefully selected to promote a love of reading, engagement and high-quality writing from each child. Our whole school reading spine has been especially chosen to allow children access to these high-quality, age-appropriate texts.

Early writing is taught through mark making, then when the children begin phonics, they are taught the correct letter formations. This begins with writing CVC words, moving onto short sentences using the sounds they have been taught. EYFS children are encouraged to write independently during continuous provision. We use the same phonics program across the school providing continuity and a vehicle for guaranteed progression. Sessions take place daily. Teaching is very precise and tailored to the needs of each child.

As well as teaching the objectives, teachers embed the skills throughout the year in cross-curricular writing opportunities and ensure that children achieve the objectives at the expected level. Children are regularly assessed, both summative and formatively, and support is swiftly put into place to enable all learners to achieve. We use a range of innovative and exciting programs to support the teaching and learning of reading across the school including Phonics tracker, Lexia and Reading Plus.

We show our dedication towards reading through our fantastic whole school home reading system: Fellgate Karate Readers which continues to build links between home and school as well as a dedicated reading whole school assembly each week.

Impact

The impact on our children is clear: progress, sustained learning and transferrable skills.  With the implementation of texts chosen to ignite a creative writing journey and this approach being adopted in both key stages, children become confident writers and by the time they are in Upper Key Stage 2, most genres of writing are familiar to them and the teaching can focus on creativity, writer’s craft, sustained writing and manipulation of grammar and punctuation skills. This ensures that our Year 6 children have all the necessary skills to be secondary ready.

Skills taught in the English lessons are transferred into other subjects; this shows consolidation and a deeper understanding of how and when to use specific grammar and punctuation objectives.  Our aim is that as children move on from Fellgate Primary School to further their education, not only have they developed reading and writing skills for life but their creativity, passion for English and high aspirations travels with them and continues to grow.

We aim to develop a passion for reading, which fosters a lifelong love of learning.

Subject Mantra:

We use subject mantras to develop our children’s understanding of the subjects they are learning. They also help our children make connections and develop their long term memory.

Here, you can find out about our English Policy that will tell you more about the subject and how it is taught, monitored and assessed across the school.

English Long Term Plan