English
We use the National Literacy Strategy as a guide and draw much from the Schemes of Work and Key Objectives that it sets out whilst having the flexibility to extend and expand further in certain areas, where appropriate.

The study of English develops children’s ability to listen, speak, read and write for a wide range of purposes, including the communication of their ideas, views and feelings. Children learn to express themselves creatively and imaginatively as they become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama, as well as of non-fiction and media texts. Children gain an understanding of how language works by looking at its patterns, structures and origins. They use their knowledge, skills and understanding in speaking and writing across a range of different situations.

Learning to talk, discuss, to converse, to debate, and to argue are also vital skills from which children develop self-worth and feel that their contribution has value.

We aim to encourage accurate and meaningful writing, be it narrative or non-fiction and to foster the enjoyment of writing, and a recognition of its value.

Children can make good use of our impressive IT provision to research, compose, redraft and illustrate their work as appropriate.

The highest priority is given to securing for all pupils the basic skills of literacy. Reading is a vital skill since it unlocks so many doors so we aim to develop enthusiastic and reflective readers, through contact with a broad selection of literature which will challenge and extend. This is linked into our reading programme which is used to direct their choice of texts, to assess their understanding and to monitor their progress.

Literacy introduces children to the world of literature, of writing, and of dramatic performance, all of which make this subject very special.