The English Curriculum Intention

Through the English Curriculum we teach pupils to speak, write, read and listen. 

To inspire a love of literature and reading.  Through that literature pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually.

Pupils should learn about:

Spoken language, reading (word reading and comprehension), writing (transcription and composition) and grammar.  Pupils will study a range of writing genres including: non-fiction, fiction and poetry.

• At St Joseph’s we understand that spoken language underpins the development of reading and writing and staff are therefore competent in using ‘talk for writing' techniques

• Pupils are screened on entering EYFS for the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI).  This is a programme which has been found to improve children’s language and early literacy skills. Robust evaluations found NELI children made on average 3 months of additional progress in language.

• Debate is used by all classes in a cross-curricular approach to ensure development of public speaking
• All Classes perform a play every year where drama skills are explicitly taught and developed
• Phonics is taught daily at KS1 through ‘Little Wandle Letters and Sounds’
• At St Joseph’s English is taught widely through our thematic topics- we think a topic approach makes learning more engaging and relevant
• We understand the importance of inspiring children to read for pleasure and do this by using a wide-range of literature (having an ongoing 'class novel' read aloud by the teacher daily; every class maintaining a reading corner; every class using the school library; local library visits and daily reading lessons)
• Reading lessons take place in the form of group or whole class guided reading
• Teachers develop units of work linked to specific genres and use excellent books and texts as a basis for analysis, exploration and enjoyment
• We have developed handwriting criteria and follow a scheme of semi-cursive handwriting called Penpals, which is taught weekly in every class, pupils can work towards achieving a special pencil, pen or fountain pen.
• We promote the use of film and digital literacy and link our English to computing where we can

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