The English Curriculum at Edgebury Primary School

Intent

At Edgebury Primary School we believe that a quality English curriculum should develop a child’s love of reading, writing and discussion.

While we fully implement the National English Curriculum and all classes from Years 1 to 6 participate in an English session each day, we see English as an integral part of all other subject areas across the curriculum.

Our English curriculum reflects our school values

Excellence through; RESPECT OPPORTUNITY CREATIVITY CHALLENGE

• We encourage respect and appreciation for our rich and varied literacy heritage and a habit of reading widely and often

• Opportunities are built into the curriculum to ensure children acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language

• We use good quality children’s literature to inspire our children to write creatively, accurately and coherently, adapting language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences

• Children are challenged to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas, developing competence in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations and participating in debate.

These aims are embedded across our English lessons and the wider curriculum.

Implementation

We provide the means for children to develop a secure knowledge-base in English which follows a clear pathway of progression as they advance through the primary curriculum. Rigorous assessment and review ensure that we are able to provide targeted support so that all children experience success; we believe that a secure basis in literacy skills is crucial to a high-quality education and will give our children the tools they need to participate fully as a member of society.

We use the FFT Success for All phonic programme, the Power of Reading CLPE teaching sequences, Reciprocal reading and Accelerated Reader to support the teaching of reading, as well as writing, throughout the school.  We recognise the importance of fostering in children an enthusiasm and enjoyment of books so they may develop a love of reading for life.  We encourage children to borrow from our increasingly wide range of books and from the time they start school every child has a reading journal which ensures we have home/school partnership.  As children progress through the school they read a wider range of materials which are progressively more challenging and they are asked to use their knowledge of vocabulary, structure and text to reflect and respond to the meaning.

We try to give children lots of opportunities in different situations to develop their confidence as speakers and to consider as listeners, information and the views of others.  We encourage them to learn how to speak and present to suit different purposes and audiences.

We encourage children to enjoy writing and give them experience of many forms including stories, reports, explanations, instructions, poems and play scripts; all in meaningful contexts. We encourage children to use an increasing variety of words and phrases and we place high value on accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar and on neat and clear cursive handwriting. 

See our reading and writing pages for more information on how we implement our English curriculum at Edgebury

Impact

Children leave Edgebury Primary School as happy, confident learners who have developed a love of reading and writing, with the key skills and knowledge necessary for the next stage of their learning.  Our children have high aspirations and love to discuss and share their ideas.  They are able to successfully use discussion to communicate and further their learning.  Attainment at the end of KS2 is above National Average.