English & Literacy

English & Literacy

At Edmonton County Primary, we believe that literacy and communication are key life skills and that through the English curriculum we should help children develop the skills and knowledge that will enable them to communicate effectively and creatively, through spoken and written language.

We aim to provide a rich and stimulating environment, where speaking and listening, reading and writing are an integral part of everything we do in order to foster a love of reading, writing and drama.

Progression of Skills in English

Children will develop their skills in reading and writing, not only in English lessons, but across the curriculum. The progression of skills in reading include the development of word reading and comprehension. The progression of skills in writing include the development of transcription, handwriting, composition, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.

More detailed information regarding progression in English can be found in this document:

Progression of Skills in English

National Curriculum Links

The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written language, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • read easily, fluently and with good understanding
  • develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
  • acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
  • appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
  • write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
  • use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
  • are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate

Please see below for further information regarding the English Programmes of Study:

Spoken Language

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study#spoken-language–years-1-to-6

Year 1 Programme of Study

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study#year-1-programme-of-study

Year 2 Programme of Study

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study#year-2-programme-of-study

Year 3/4 Programme of Study

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study#years-3-and-4-programme-of-study

Year 5/6 Programme of Study

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study#years-5-and-6-programme-of-study

Spelling

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239784/English_Appendix_1_-_Spelling.pdf

Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/335190/English_Appendix_2_-_Vocabulary_grammar_and_punctuation.pdf

Reading at Edmonton County Primary

At Edmonton County Primary, we are BONKERS about BOOKS! We therefore use high quality texts in our English lessons and across the curriculum to support other learning. Children also have access to a plethora of wonderful books to choose from.

In Key Stage One, children take part in a daily Phonics lesson in which they focus not only on learning sounds and blending these to read words, but also on writing and letter formation. They take home a phonics book each week to consolidate their learning as well as another levelled scheme book. We use the Ruth Miskin Read, Write Inc Programme which is a synthetic, well-structured approach to teaching early reading. The children get to know Fred the Frog who is only able to speak in sounds.

 

The following video is an example of blending sounds with Fred.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEzfpod5w_Q

 

You can also find out the pronunciation of each sound here:

https://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/resources/sound-pronunciation-guide/

The children learn the phonemes using rhymes:

The following websites have some great phonics games:

 

https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/PicnicOnPluto.html

 

https://ictgames.com/literacy.html

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/literacy/phonics/play/

Ruth Miskin the founder of Read Write Inc has compiled a selection of videos that give lots more information and examples. Click the link below to find out more about

 

In Key Stage 2, children use the Renaissance Accelerated Reader programme which allows them to read books that are suited to their reading ability and then take a quiz that relates to the book that they have read. This means that not only are they developing their word reading skills but also their comprehensions skills. The children receive certificates based on the number of words that they read and this has become a competition that all of the children love! We have already had some word millionaires! 

 

Children also take part in daily whole-class Guided Reading lessons in which they focus on learning new vocabulary as well as learning the comprehension skills required to tackle inference, retrieval, prediction, explanation and summarizing questions.

 

Children, especially in KS1, have opportunities to read individually with an adult which provides time for both assessment and individual teaching. We encourage parents to listen to their child read daily, to talk about books and to read to their children. We believe that this helps to develop reading skills, and also supports a lifelong love of reading.