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 “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”  Dr. Seuss

English

Our intent is to provide a rich and varied curriculum that nurtures a love for reading and writing.  We believe in inspiring our students through lessons that reflect our values: 

  • Joy – through inspirational texts and experiences; 

  • Kindness and Respect – through stories which foster empathy and understanding and broadening world views; 

  • Perseverance – through providing multiple opportunities to revisit key skills and improve work; 

  • Wisdom – to develop our skills, desire to learn more and passion for applying knowledge to our work in all subject areas. 

We provide children with strong foundations in English skills that allow them to be confident learners across the full breadth of the curriculum. 

Our pupils leave St James Primary School well-prepared for a successful transition to secondary school, carrying with them the confidence, skills, and values they've developed in our supportive and inclusive community.  We empower our students to become lifelong learners who positively impact our world and carry with them a love of English.

 

Reading

Our aim is that all children leave school as passionate and confident readers.  We believe that reading is the skill through which we learn new information, experience places far from home, gain insight into situations unlike our own and venture into worlds beyond our wildest imagination.

At St James, we aim to develop:

  • Strong phonic knowledge - to read automatically, easily and fluently.
  • Accurate comprehension - to understand fully what is read.
  • Reading for pleasure - to enjoy stories and gain information. 
  • Rich vocabulary - to enrich our spoken and written language.

We teach reading through:

  • Phonics lessons - Read Write Inc
  • Story time and reading for pleasure
  • Guided reading
  • Whole class reading - Literacy Leaves

KS2 Whole Class Reading Overview

 

Phonics

Phonics is taught through Read Write Inc.  This rigorous, systematic and intensive programme is recognised as having a huge impact on standards and achievement in reading and writing.  Children learn phonics in small groups taken by teachers and teaching assistants who have received special training.  Daily phonics lessons ensure pupils have extensive reading practice and become fluent readers quickly.  Go to our website here for more information about Phonics at St James.

 

Writing

We believe all our pupils should be fully equipped with writing skills that prepare them for their future education and success in life.  We use enriching experiences and high quality texts as the stimulus for our writing lessons to ensure children are engaged and motivated.  Texts have been mapped out across the school to ensure children are exposed to a range of genres and text types, that there is a diverse selection of both authors and characters and that classic fiction and poetry are included across the school. We encourage high standards of written work across all subject areas. 

At St James, we aim to develop:

  • Strong spellings and handwriting - to write accurately and clearly.
  • Clear sense of purpose and audience - to write coherently with creativity and engagement.
  • Vocabulary knowledge - to articulate ideas accurately and clearly.

We teach writing through:

  • Immersion in high quality texts and themes - drawing on CLPE planning
  • Oral development of ideas in drama and role play
  • Handwriting lessons
  • Stanley Road Grammar
  • Modelling: planning, composing and editing
  • Extended writing lessons

English Overview