English Vision at Barming Primary School:

At Barming Primary School, it is our belief that all teachers are teachers of literacy. We are committed to developing the literacy skills of all our pupils, through a consistent approach to teaching and learning, in the belief that it will support their progress as independent learners and raise standards across the curriculum. In doing so, not only are we helping all pupils to access the curriculum but we are also equipping them with the communication skills that are essential for life. We believe that good literacy skills are fundamental to effective learning.

Children have the opportunity to experience a wide range of whole texts and extracts from a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry genres. They have access to a range of resources such as dictionaries, thesauruses and individual whiteboards to support their work. Children use ICT in English lessons where it enhances their learning. ICT links include drafting and editing work, using camcorders and cameras to record drama work and using iPads to carry out research.

Children take part in daily guided reading sessions, as well as regular spelling, punctuation and grammar practice and reading comprehension activities.  In Key Stage 2, pupils are expected to read 5 times a week at home. Wherever possible we encourage children to use and apply their learning in other areas of the curriculum.

Reading:

Reading is the door to creativity, to visualisation and to greater knowledge; it is the gateway to fantastic, impossible realms, planets and worlds. Research tells us that children who read for pleasure on a daily basis develop a wider vocabulary, greater general knowledge and a far better understanding of other cultures. It is perhaps one of the single most important factors in a child’s development. Naturally, we therefore believe that it is every child’s right to learn to read, but we hope that our children go far beyond this to develop a true love and pleasure for reading.

Through discrete Phonics sessions that follow Letters and Sounds, one-to-one reading with an adult and the reading workshop, we teach our youngest children how to decode the written word, whilst building a greater understanding of comprehension as children develop through listening to books being read aloud, investigating them together in guided groups, or working together as a class on shared activities. We develop greater understanding through detailed exploration of whole books, short texts, art work, videos and music, encouraging children to play an active role in the reading process through an understanding of what makes a ‘good comprehender.’ Staff are reading roles models who demonstrate and encourage a love for reading, and children have access to a wide variety of reading materials through the school library, visiting authors, book fairs and the carefully selected texts used in the teaching of English.

World Book Week - 4th - 8th March 2019

What a fabulous World Book week we had

Starting off with a visit from the very talented children's author and Illustrator, Paul Geraghty.  We enjoyed listening to the Hoppameleon,  Solo and Tortuga which inspired our own writing throughout the week! 

Year 5 and 6 were lucky to have a visit from the Young Shakespeare company with a fantastic performance of Hamlet.  

Children swapped classes during Thursday afternoon and enjoyed reading with a buddy from another class.  The teachers also read to the other classes in their phases sharing some fabulous books - Year 6 enjoying the weird and wonderful Wolves in the walls and Year 5, The day the crayons quit.

The children looked fabulous in their World Book Day costumes  - thank you!  We also enjoyed contributing to our whole school story - The adventures of Mr Laker - around the world in 14 classes which we shared in our last assembly of the week.

A thoroughly enjoyable week had by all!

Writing:

At Barming Primary School, our aim is to use quality texts across Key Stage 1 and 2 to inspire and give purpose to our children's writing. From the earliest stages of emergent writing in the Foundation Stage, we aim to foster a true love of storytelling and writing through the joy it is able to bring. We recognise the role that ‘talk’ plays in our understanding of the written word and so, children are regularly given opportunities to listen to and retell stories and non-fiction texts. Through retelling texts, using actions or drama to help internalise patterns, children are able to first imitate, but then innovate and invent their own version of a text; these stages of writing form the basis upon which all of our writing units are taught. Children are supported in their ability to innovate upon a known text through shared and guided writing, whilst the invention stage teaches children the subtleties of an author’s craft.  Children are given opportunity to play with words, read as a writer by investigating authors' use of language in a range of texts.  Children become confident planners for their writing and are taught how to edit and improve their own written pieces - just as real authors do!

Spelling, punctuation and grammar forms an even more important role in the English curriculum than ever before. We believe that a secure understanding of these aspects is incredibly important to develop a true conceptual understanding of English. However, we also strongly believe that children are entitled to a rich, varied and stimulating learning experience and so our teaching of Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar is embedded within our teaching of writing. Through careful planning from the very beginning of the year, we introduce new punctuation or grammar concepts when it is best placed to support children’s writing at that time, whilst spelling forms a constant and frequent part of our practice.

At Barming Primary School, we believe that all children should take pride in their learning and so we ensure that children have opportunities to show what they can really do, providing them with the opportunity to create a piece of learning which they can be truly proud of.

Throughout the school year, we encourage our whole school community to get involved in a range of events to celebrate our love of English, with an intention of creating lifelong lovers of Reading and Writing.

Just a few of these opportunities include –

• Book week
• World Book Day
• Reading Together Events
• Assemblies led by the English team
• Visiting authors
• Summer Reading Challenge

Curriculum:

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 word, 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 click to view the English Programmes of Study for Key Stage 1 and 2.