English

“Reading is like breathing in, and writing is like breathing out”.

Pam Allyn

Intent

At South Petherton CofE Infants, our intent for the English curriculum is to foster a love for language and literature from the earliest stages of education. We aim to develop confident, articulate, and inquisitive learners who can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Our intent is to equip every child, regardless of their background or individual needs, with the essential skills required for successful communication and comprehension. We believe that the ability to read fluently and write creatively is fundamental to developing learners who can thrive in an ever-evolving world.

“Evidence indicates that success in literacy relies on the secure development of language, and that these skills are amongst the best predictors of educational success”

EEF Improving Literacy 2021.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that:

• Language Acquisition: Children are exposed to rich, varied language experiences to promote vocabulary development and linguistic skills, preparing them for later stages of education.
• Literacy Skills: We aim to embed essential literacy skills by providing a balanced approach to reading, writing, speaking, and listening, ensuring that every child can access texts and express themselves clearly.
• Cultural Awareness: By selecting diverse texts and stories, we cultivate an appreciation for different cultures and perspectives, helping children understand their place in a wider community.
• Critical Thinking: We encourage children to think critically about the texts they read, fostering a love of literature that inspires imaginative thinking and personal responses.

Implementation

The implementation of our English curriculum is multifaceted and designed to meet the needs of all learners. Key strategies include:

• Quality Text Selection: We carefully select high-quality texts that capture children's imagination, ranging from classic literature to contemporary stories. These texts serve as a foundation for our reading and writing activities.
• Structured Phonics Programme: We provide a systematic phonics programme through Read Write Inc, that is consistently delivered across all classes, ensuring secure foundations in reading and spelling. Daily phonics lessons are engaging and varied, incorporating songs, games, and interactive activities to motivate learners.
• Interactive Reading Sessions: Guided reading sessions are conducted in small groups  as part of our daily phonic session, allowing for targeted support and differentiation. We employ a reciprocal reading approach, encouraging children to take an active role in their learning by predicting, questioning, and summarising texts.
• Reading for pleasure: We promote daily reading sessions, both in individual and group settings, incorporating a wide range of literature. Our school library is stocked with diverse texts.
• Creative Writing Opportunities: Our writing curriculum is designed to be imaginative and context-rich. We provide numerous opportunities for children to write for different purposes, such as storytelling, information sharing, and poetry, often linked to their reading focus.
• Collaborative learning experiences: We encourage collaborative activities that allow children to share ideas, enhance their vocabulary, and inspire each other through peer feedback and cooperative storytelling.
• Community Engagement: We actively involve parents and carers in the learning process through workshops and resources that enable them to support literacy development at home.

Impact

The impact of our English curriculum is evident through the following outcomes:

• Progress and Attainment: Children demonstrate significant progress in their reading and writing skills, with the majority achieving age-related expectations by the end of Year 2. Regular assessments inform our teaching strategies, ensuring that every child's needs are met.
• Engagement and Enthusiasm: Observations indicate high levels of engagement during English lessons, with children actively participating and showing enthusiasm for reading and writing. Feedback from children reflects a genuine love for stories and a desire to explore literature further.
• Communication Skills: Our approach has enabled children to develop strong verbal communication skills, leading to confident interactions in both formal and informal settings. They demonstrate the ability to articulate their thoughts and ideas, both in group discussions and one-to-one interactions.
• Parental Involvement: Increased parental engagement in literacy activities reinforces the importance of reading and writing at home, leading to an enriched learning environment.
• Cultural Literacy: Children display an understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives through their responses to literature, contributing to a wider appreciation of the world around them.

We continually evaluate our English provision to ensure it remains responsive to the needs of our learners, fostering a lifelong love for reading and writing that will equip our children for future academic success and personal growth.