Our approach to English
Our English curriculum is carefully crafted to empower students with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the world of literature and language.
Reading
Our English curriculum is driven by a canon of high-quality texts. We understand that reading is more than just words on a page – it's about comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary enrichment. Through our whole-class reading lessons, students engage in immersive reading experiences. This not only enhances their reading fluency but also nurtures their confidence in expressing themselves through language.
To deepen their understanding of the texts, we use a targeted approach that focusses on the knowledge children need to fully comprehend the book at hand. We encourage critical thinking and analytical skills, teaching students to answer questions using the "I, we, you" model. Vocabulary development is also a significant part of our reading curriculum, ensuring that students expand their lexicon and become more articulate communicators.
Writing
We recognise the importance of building a strong foundation. That's why we begin with sentence work, focusing on the fundamental building blocks of writing. This approach ensures that our students grasp the essential elements before moving on to more complex writing tasks.
We believe in the importance of nurturing the writing process. Our students learn the value of planning, drafting, and revising, turning initial ideas into polished works of art. This iterative approach allows them to refine their writing over time, transforming it from good to exceptional.Our students are encouraged to identify both purpose and audience for each piece of writing they undertake. This emphasis on intentionality ensures that their writing has a real-world context, making it a meaningful and authentic endeavour.
Grammar is not taught in isolation but within the context of writing. Our approach ensures that students understand how grammar functions in real-world writing scenarios. Daily quizzes reinforce these concepts, helping children store this vital knowledge in their long-term memory. Explicit instruction in handwriting and spelling is a cornerstone of our writing curriculum.
Through teacher modelling, students learn by example, witnessing how experienced writers craft their work. This hands-on guidance inspires and informs our young writers, showing them the path to success.