We intend to expose and encourage children to read a variety of texts through our core reading scheme to inspire a love of reading. Every year group teaches reading throughout the week across the Curriculum, as well as discrete lessons. We teach children the necessary skills to both ‘word read’ and ‘comprehend’.  We aim to ensure that all pupils can read fluently, with confidence and can retrieve information, explain. These skills are vital for the children leaving us in Year 6 to be secondary ready. A wide variety of reading genres are covered to enable children to appreciate fiction and non-fiction works, poetry, adventure stories, newspaper reports and classics through Talk for Writing Reading Spines and Spine Poetry.

In EYFS and Key Stage 1, phonics is taught daily to enhance skills in reading, through Little Wandle (please see our Little Wandle Phonics page.)  Phonics is regularly assessed by teachers to meet the emerging needs of children. 

Using Talk for Writing principles, we will scaffold children's learning through a consistent structured approach throughout the school where vocabulary, grammar and genres are learnt robustly; this is achieved by going through the three phases of imitation, innovation and independent application.  Independent application provides opportunity for true independent writing and allows children to develop their creativity.  As part of the structured phases, we will ensure opportunities for drama as this immerses a child within a text and deepens their understanding. It also complements our goal of developing confidence in children by giving them a chance to perform in front of their peers.

Presentation and handwriting have a strong emphasis from the time pupils start school.  Children are taught cursive handwriting through our handwriting scheme, Letterjoin, to ensure that writing is fluent and legible.

Children are encouraged to express themselves imaginatively, creatively and effectively, enabling them to use language to communicate ideas and enrich their learning across the curriculum.  Children also enjoy and are exposed to many other opportunities to further oral skills through the Talk for Writing text map recital, speaking opportunities such as acting in class/year group assemblies, plays, and also through our Enterprise Week's 'Dragon's Den!'