Having had access to a wide range of text types, genres and authors through the teaching of reading at Braeburn Primary and Nursery Academy, children will be able to express preferences and opinions about the texts that they read. We want our children to write with confidence and accuracy for a variety of purposes, audiences and forms whilst developing their own individual flair. Children will have the confidence to be able to write with grammatical accuracy and apply spelling patterns correctly, whilst using a neat handwriting style. Through a variety of texts and genres, we aim to expose our children to a wide range of vocabulary so that they are able to decipher new words and then use them when speaking both informally and formally.
Speaking and listening are fundamental to a child’s language development and underpin all areas of learning as well as social development. We plan opportunities for teaching/developing these skills across the curriculum to enable children to express themselves clearly and confidently and listen attentively.
We aspire to promote a culture of positivity and enjoyment surrounding reading in our school so that children develop a thirst for reading. Through carefully planned objectives, children are supported to develop their word recognition and comprehension throughout their journey through school. Aiming for our pupils to leave school as skilled readers, we focus on the building blocks of reading: syntax, con
text, vocabulary, knowledge of narrative structure, prosody and fluency.
Reading is taught in a number of ways, but initially in EYFS and KS1 this is largely through a phonics approach. Comprehension skills are also developed alongside phonics to enable our children to become confident, independent readers who read for enjoyment and information every day. Books are sent home on a weekly basis so children can practise their reading skills with a parent/carer. As children develop into fluent readers, there is greater emphasis on developing their comprehension skills: questioning to check their understanding becomes even more important.
Reading comprehension is taught through whole class reading activities, guided reading and through home readers. Through a variety of texts and genres we aim to expose our children to a wide range of vocabulary so that they are able to decipher new words and then use them when speaking both informally and formally.
Writing skills are developed on a daily basis. We aim to create real, purposeful and engaging contexts for writing; children have opportunities to work independently, in pairs and in small groups with an adult. ‘Helicopter Stories’ are used in EYFS and Year 1 to develop children’s ability to retell stories and other texts. There is much emphasis on spelling, handwriting and grammar as well as composition. The daily English lessons usually include a discrete grammar focus, alongside a focus on high quality oral work and written work linked to the class story or non-fiction focus.
Our carefully sequenced writing progression can be viewed here.
