English is the basic language of communication in this country and its mastery is a prerequisite for educational progress. It is the foundation for almost all the learning which takes place in our school. It is essential for independent learning, the world of work and most other aspects of everyday life.

In keeping with our mission statement at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Primary School, we aim to provide a stimulating and challenging language environment for all pupils. Within this environment, we are committed to: 

• building upon the children’s existing skills.
• recognising and valuing the culture and language background of each child. 
• supporting individual needs at different developmental stages.
• encouraging levels of personal excellence.

English is a core subject in the National Curriculum. The fundamental skills, knowledge and concepts are set out in the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 areas of the National Curriculum where they are categorised into 4 attainment targets: 

1. Reading 
2. Writing
3. Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar and Vocabulary
4. Spoken Language

PHONICS and READING

Please click here to link to the Reading / Phonics area of our school website.

WRITING

Our children need to develop a passion and skill for writing in which they feel comfortable in experimenting with different styles and formats. From the Foundation Stage, all children’s attempts at writing, including emergent writing, are valued and built upon, so that children appreciate the importance of their writing in conveying meaning to the reader. During Key Stage 2, pupils learn to write more independently and alter the way they write to suit different situations, purposes and audiences.

Underpinning our writing:

• Exciting stimuli (books, film, art, writers, drama, songs), and cross curricular
• Sharing of ideas
• Modelling writing
• Planning and story mapping
• Drafting and editing
• Oral rehearsal and oral revision (please encourage this at home too)
• Aids to support the writing process e.g. use of letter and word mats and banks, handwriting paper, statutory word lists
• Re-reading, proofreading
• Peer assessment and 'Must Haves'
• Focus on presentation (pen license, lined paper, handwriting practice)
• Writing for a purpose and an audience
• Spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation
• Teacher feedback

Please find below writing grids for Years 1 to 6.

National Curriculum for English - Please CLICK HERE to link to the DfE "English programmes of study for Key Stages 1 and 2"

 

SPELLING, PUNCTUATION AND GRAMMAR

The English curriculum includes a strong emphasis on vocabulary development, grammar, punctuation and spelling. All literacy lessons have a ‘SPaG’ (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) focus to help prepare children for end of key stage assessments and to ultimately develop greater fluency in writing.

SPELLING

Read Write Inc. Spelling (Years 2-6)

At our school, we use Read Write Inc. Spelling to develop children’s spelling, vocabulary and understanding of how words work. The programme builds on the phonics knowledge acquired in Key Stage 1 and helps children become confident and accurate spellers.

Through short, focused lessons, children learn:

* Common spelling patterns and rules

* How prefixes and suffixes change the meaning of words.

* Strategies for spelling unfamiliar words.

* The meanings and origins of words.

* How to apply spelling skills accurately in their writing.

The programme teaches children to think about the structure of words rather than simply memorising spellings. They investigate patterns, identify rules and practise applying their learning in a range of contexts.

Read Write Inc. Spelling is closely matched to the National Curriculum spelling requirements for Years 2-6 and helps children develop the skills needed to write with increasing accuracy and confidence.

How We Teach Spelling

Children participate in regular spelling lessons that include:

* Learning new spelling patterns and rules.

* Exploring vocabulary and word meanings.

* Practising spellings through engaging activities.

* Investigating words and identifying patterns.

* Applying spelling knowledge in their independent writing.

Teachers provide opportunities for children to revisit previous learning, helping them to retain and apply spelling patterns over time.

Supporting Spelling at Home

Parents can help by:

* Encouraging regular reading, which exposes children to a wide range of vocabulary and spelling patterns.

* Practising spelling activities or word lists sent home from school.

* Discussing the meaning of new words.

* Encouraging children to spot spelling patterns in books and everyday reading.

* Supporting children to use dictionaries, word mats and spelling strategies independently.

By working together, we can help children become confident writers who use accurate spelling effectively across the curriculum.