English & Phonics

English Curriculum - Intent

Our English curriculum provides pupils with the necessary knowledge, skills, vocabulary, and understanding needed to be confident, articulate, and creative in their written and oral communication.

English Curriculum - Implementation

Our curriculum ensures that all pupils:

• Can read easily, fluently, and with a good understanding
• Develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
• Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar, and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing, and spoken language
• Appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
• Write clearly, accurately, and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes, and audiences
• Use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
• Are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.

Reading - Intent

Reading is placed at the heart of Blakenall Heath Junior School's curriculum and we know that good reading skills provide the best platform for learning in all subjects. We want to not only inspire children through a love of books and reading for pleasure but also to promote a love of reading to empower children to become life-long readers.

Reading - Implementation

At Blakenall Heath Junior School, our English lessons follow enriching, high quality text-based units of work to provide a context for learning and to promote a love of reading. Pupils are taught specific reading skills and the features of different genres through carefully planned units that are adapted to the needs of our children, ensuring a variety of texts are studied in line with National Curriculum requirements. We aim to provide pupils at Blakenall Heath Junior School with the opportunity to read every day and also to hear adults reading from a variety of high-quality texts as well.

Reading is taught in a variety of different ways at Blakenall Heath Junior School:

* Guided Reading – this lesson takes place daily and allows the children to read with fluency, understand what they have read and answer questions about the text. At Blakenall Heath Junior School, we use VIPERS to underpin the teaching of the content domains (Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explanation, Retrieval and Summarising).

* Cross-Curricular – Pupils use and apply the reading skills they have already learned to develop their knowledge and understanding across the curriculum.

* Book Club - a daily reading session that promotes reading for pleasure where children are given the opportunity to read independently, read with peers, listen to the teacher rea and complete book reviews.

* Weekly visits to the school library, in order to promote reading for pleasure. Children have the opportunity to choose books and spend time reading in our fully stocked library.

Reading is not just given a high profile in classrooms at Blakenall Heath Junior School. Around the school, you will find displays which celebrate authors, inspiring reading corners and spaces, children’s favourite books, authors, genres and recommended reads. In addition, throughout the school year, the importance of reading is enhanced through World Book Day, Book Fairs, and other reading events to further enrich our English curriculum.

Our school is also fortunate to have a library that is stocked with an extensive array of books and reading materials, which the pupils are given the opportunity to visit weekly to broaden their range of reading experiences.

Phonics - Implementation

At Blakenall Heath Junior School we use the Read Write Inc (RWI) phonics programme. RWI is a method of learning to read, centred around a systematic program of teaching phonics.

When using RWI to read the children will:
* learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts
*learn to read words using Fred Talk
*read lively stories featuring words they have learned to sound out and show that they comprehend the stories by answering questions.

We prioritise early reading and adopt a consistent approach:

• Phonics is taught daily for one hour.
• Phonics groups are flexible and reviewed every 6 weeks (or when necessary) according to progress.
• Children start with decodable books.
• Phonics books are sent home weekly to be read alongside parents.
• Sound and blending tutoring are given when needed.

Writing - Intent

At Blakenall Heath Junior School, we recognise that fluency in written English is essential for a child’s daily and future life. Written English skills are vital across the curriculum and give children a voice to share their ideas with the wider world. We are committed to ensuring that all children are able to reach their individual potential through providing stimulating contexts in which to learn and apply new skills, build on positive foundations and explore different genres of writing, being succinct in their approach.

Writing - Implementation

All classes follow a long-term overview of texts chosen to suit their age group and ability levels. A variety of Fiction, Non-Fiction and poetry is chosen in accordance with National Curriculum requirements. Children may deconstruct a text to become confident with the structure and features, working towards a final extended piece of their own writing which is based upon the text. Teachers enable all children to participate effectively in the curriculum and assessment activities and take action to respond to pupils’ diverse needs, including:

• creating effective learning environments

• securing their motivation and concentration

• providing equality of opportunity through teaching approaches

• using appropriate assessment approaches

• using a range of adaptive teaching strategies e.g. Imprint Widgits and Colourful Semantics

Assessment in Writing

Formal assessments in writing take place each half term through extended pieces of independent work, linked to the class unit of work. 

Assessments in writing, in the afternoon curriculum, also take place each half term. Across the year, children will complete extended pieces of writing in Geography, History, Science and Religious Studies.

If you want further information about the curriculum content your child is covering please  speak to your child's class teacher or call the school office to arrange an appointment to see the subject leader.