English Curriculum
At St Osburg’s Primary school we recognise that the teaching of the writing process is inextricably linked to the teaching of Reading and Speaking and Listening. Consequently, teachers use a variety of teaching methods and emphasis in the teaching of writing which reflects this. Furthermore, we recognise children as individualised learners, and as such, plan lessons to include visual, auditory and kinaesthetic approaches where appropriate which best suit the needs of the children.
English Curriculum
At St Osburg’s, English is at the heart of our curriculum. Our principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills, and understanding and in order to do this we have adapted the way we teach English.
Every child within the school takes part in daily English lessons which develops the key skills of reading and the technical aspects of writing.
Our curriculum is based on a text based curriculum which develops children’s comprehension, vocabulary, writing, grammar, critical thinking and discussion skills– in a fun and meaningful way. The children write for different purposes: to imagine and explore feelings and ideas, to inform and explain, to persuade and to review and comment. They also see how writing is concerned with process as well as product, being an aid to thinking, organisation and learning. They are taught to plan, draft, revise, proof read and present their writing on paper and on screen, and to discuss and evaluate their own writing and that of others.There is an emphasis on using real models for writing newspaper reports, advertisements and websites.
The links between reading and writing in fiction and non-fiction continue to be made explicit. Pupils use their knowledge of texts they have studied to construct their own writing and have greater control over organisation, language features, vocabulary and spelling.
Reading
Children are given opportunities to develop knowledge of different authors and styles of writing in order to foster a love of reading.
Reading in School
In the Foundation Stage and through Key Stage One, children are taught to read through the Read Write Inc Phonic Programme to get their reading off to a flying start. We believe that being able to read will unlock the door to every child's learning giving them the thirst for knowledge. Using Read Write Inc, the children learn to read effortlessly in a fun and stimulating way. This takes place 3x per week each session lasting 45minutes.
The children learn the 44 sounds and the corrosponding letter/letter groups using picture prompts. The children learn to spell using Fred Fingers, counting out and saying the sounds. They read exciting books and answer questions showing their comprehension skills. Below is a link to parent advice and Top Tips to support your child with RWI.
The ‘Fresh Start’ programme and ‘ReadWrite Inc Comprehension’ are also used as an intervention for specific groups of children in Key Stage 2.
In Key Stage Two, children take part in weekly ‘guided reading’ sessions which comprise of a one hour 'Big Read' lesson and two further 25 minute follow up sessions. All lessons are planned using the Big Read criteria ensuring that all skills are taught and are progressive.
In addition to this, all classes have a class reader which they read purely for enjoyment.
Reading Enrichment
Other opportunities for Reading enrichment include taking part in events such as ‘World Book Day’, ‘National Poetry Day’, ‘National Storytelling Week’ or the ‘Summer Reading Challenge’. Children visit the central library and have also taken part in the St Osburg's 'Extreme Reading' Challenge.
Reading at Home
Children are encouraged to read a range of fiction and non-fiction books to support reading at home and these are organised using the Book Bands System. Home Reading books are chosen from a range of different schemes including Oxford Reading Tree, Jelly and Bean and Rigby Rocket.
Speaking and Listening
We give children a range of purposes for speaking and listening. Speaking and listening will sometimes be taught discretely, but more often it will be taught within other areas of the curriculum. Examples of where speaking and listening might occur within the classroom: Hot seating, freeze frames, reading aloud, presentations, role play and explaining ideas.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
The teaching of English develops skills through which our children can give critical responses to the moral questions they meet in their environment and also in the wider world. Their understanding and appreciation of a range of texts brings them into contact with their own literary heritage and texts from other cultures.