English
English at Messingham
At Messingham Primary School we recognise the importance of a high quality English curriculum. We ensure the children are taught key reading and writing skills in order to reach their full potential and prepare them for future education.
Our intent:
- to promote enjoymentand enthusiasm for reading so that children can read easily, fluently and with good understanding
- to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
- for children to acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammarand knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
- for children to writeclearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
- for children to be able to use discussionin order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
- for children to become competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
- for children to build on prior knowledge from the previous year in order to progressthroughout their time at Messingham.
How we implement this:
English is taught as a lesson every day in both KS1 and KS2.
KS1 – phonics (Little Wandle Letters and Sounds), SPaG, handwriting, reading and writing.
KS2 – spellings, SPaG, handwriting, reading and writing.
Writing
At Messingham Primary School, we follow a Mastery approach to English through the programme ‘Pathways to Write.’ Units of work are delivered using high quality texts and children in all year groups are given varied opportunities for writing. Skills are built up through repetition within the units, and children apply these skills in the writing activities provided. Many opportunities for widening children’s vocabulary are given through the Pathways to Write approach and this builds on the extensive work we do in school to provide our children with a rich and varied vocabulary.
You will find the end of year expectations for writing, reading and spoken language for each of our year groups at the bottom of the page.
For further detail on the skills that your children are learning on a termly basis, please contact your class teacher.
Reading:
At Messingham Primary School, we teach 2 whole class reading sessions a week, covering a range of genres. During these sessions, we focus on fluency, vocabulary skills and comprehension skills, looking closely at reading strategies and test-craft. The set tasks that are named ‘Master’, ‘Challenger’ and ‘Expert’ where the skill and task develop in difficulty as the children progress during the lesson. This gives the children the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to more complex questions or tasks.
To monitor and support children in reading, we use Accelerated Reader from Y2-Y6. This allows children to choose from a selection of books in their reading range and complete quizzes on the books they have read! Children can access their Accelerated Reader account both at school and at home. To log on to your child’s account, click the following link and enter your child’s login details which they brought home at the beginning of the year – https://global-zone61.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/6711549
In addition to this, we have 10 minute ‘Reading for Pleasure’ time each day where the class teacher reads to the children.
The children also read independently for 20 minutes a day and we encourage that they also read at home at least 3 times a week (see Homework page for more information.
The impact:
The impact of teaching can be seen in our children’s English books; on displays around school; on our school’s Facebook page and by speaking to our pupils. As a school, we measure impact through book looks, learning walks, lesson observations, pupil progress meetings, teacher/pupil and parent voice and our assessments. This is carried out by Miss Remond, Mr Hutchings, the senior leadership team and the school governors.
The fundamentals:
- A belief that every child can and will achieve mastery
- Bespoke Messingham medium term plan
- All children will participate in class discussions
- All children will be supported and challenged accordingly
- Up-to-date working walls
- Class books to base learning around
- A focus on a good use of vocabulary
- Pace, productivity, progress
- Children using Accelerated Reader
For more information, please see the English policy on our website’s policy page and for any queries regarding English at Messingham Primary School, please contact Miss Remond – our school’s English Leader.