Guided Reading
Each morning starts with Guided Reading across the school. We teach children to understand and respond imaginatively to what they read, while nurturing their enjoyment of literature. All children have a weekly reading session in small groups or one to one with the teacher and on other days complete comprehension, word and sentence tasks to support their reading development.
English Lessons
We place value on quality texts that both engage the imagination and support the development of literacy skills. In lessons, the children read and respond to a range of fiction and non-fiction books and use them as a starting point for their own writing. They take part in activities that involve reading, writing, role play, drama, discussion, debate, presentation, recitation. Teachers plan from the National Curriculum for English, 2014, with objectives for Reading, Writing, Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling.
We recognise how important it is for children to use their knowledge and skills in a relevant context in order to bring their learning to life. English skills are applied across the curriculum, with opportunities to read and write in Topic work, Art and Science.
English in the Early Years
In Nursery and Reception, teachers plan from the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework 2014. Communication and Language, Reading and Writing are encouraged everyday and opportunities are ever present in the environment. Children have opportunities to explore, use, and enjoy words and text. They learn to respond to adults and to each other, listen carefully, and practise their communication skills through methods such as role-play, story-telling and shared writing.
Phonics
Phonics is taught every day in EYFS, Year 1 and 2, using Letters and Sounds 2007. Our classrooms are rich with phonics resources, surrounding children in a wealth of tools to develop their skills in reading and writing.
Our Library
We have a thriving School Library, run by our own librarian. Being in possession of this incredible resource means children have ready access to a vast array of inspiring and ever-changing literature. Children from Nursery to Year 6 visit the library every week to listen to a story, explore the range of resources available and to borrow books for reading at home.
Everybody Read
Every Friday at 8:30am parents and children are warmly invited to join ‘Everybody Read’ in the School Library with our Librarian. At Everybody Read, parents and carers have the opportunity to share a story or two with their children in comfort before school starts at 8:55 a.m.