English

Characteristic

What do we want to develop in our children at Kirklevington?

What does this look like in our School?

Be Ready

Be Ambitious – aim high, exposure to experts and role models, challenge provided in teaching knowledge, skills and vocabulary

• We recognise that English is a key skill in life and that it provides the foundation for success in all areas. We aim to provide a highly quality English curriculum that is progressive and equips all children with the knowledge and skills needed to reach their full potential in life, regardless of their background, needs or abilities.
• Our English curriculum is created, taking into account the voice of the children, so that they are motivated and excited to learn.
• The English curriculum encourages cross curricular links and allows children to consolidate, practise and develop new skills in a variety of different situations, for a variety of different purposes. 
• In order to become competent and confident readers and writers, children need to learn early skills in phonics. We use a systematic, synthetic phonics programme called ‘Little Wandle’ Letters and Sounds Revised.   
• Reading is at the heart of all that we do. We encourage a love of reading and highly value it as a key life skill. We believe reading quality texts is essential for becoming a quality writer.
• Adults read a variety of carefully chosen, high-quality texts to the children on a regular basis and we analyse a range of texts regularly to develop children’s comprehension skills.
• Throughout their time at school, we aim to immerse pupils in rich and diverse experiences, stimulating texts, and the work of a wide range of authors, poets and playwrights.
• We aim to equip children with the necessary grammatical knowledge, skills and vocabulary to enable them to become articulate, communicating effectively and imaginatively through writing and preparing them for their future journey.
• It is our intention to develop children’s confidence and enable them to explore their imagination, developing their ability to produce creative, imaginative and high-quality writing.
• We provide purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion and teachers use a range of resources to engage and inform.
• Writing is celebrated and displayed around school for others to enjoy.

Be Independent – Prepared for now, the next steps and for life

• In English our aim is to ensure that every child becomes a proficient reader, writer and confident speaker by the time they leave Kirklevington Primary School – equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need for life.
• We want children to master the skills of reading, but also a love of books and an enjoyment of reading for pleasure that will stay with them for life.
• We provide language rich environments where English knowledge, skills and vocabulary are modelled by all staff.  
• Formative and summative assessment is used on a regular basis across the school to inform planning for children’s next steps (support and extension) where analysis of teaching and learning takes place.
• Children have opportunities to complete independent tasks, making their own decisions about the texts they read and the writing they produce. They are encouraged to discuss their choices with others.
• Children are encouraged to select and use resources independently in the classroom to support their learning.
• We aim to improve the confidence and competence of our children with speaking – as well as their listening skills.  Children learn how best to articulate their thoughts, ideas and opinions, suited to the context. Children are encouraged to express their own thoughts, ideas and opinions in English lessons.

Be Resilient – confident, develop self-regulation, well-being strategies and be problem solvers

• At Kirklevington Primary School, we foster a Growth Mind-set and encourage a ‘Can Do!’ attitude.
• Children are taught to edit and improve their work in a safe and respectful environment, allowing them to build resilience.
• Self-regulation and understanding of emotions is a part of day to day interactions and children are given time during speaking and listening sessions to discuss their emotions.
• Children are exposed to a wide range of texts that are focussed around resilience, self-regulation and well-being and English lessons are often a time when the children can use their writing to promote confidence, and resilience. 
• School is a safe place where children are encouraged to express their worries, ask for help and are supported to develop skills to resolve things under their control.
• Children are taught that change is a part of life and about setting small goals in English in order to achieve great things.

Be Respectful

Respectful behaviours – towards ourselves, our peers and others

• Children are taught to be respectful towards others when working together.
• A selection of texts are used to help children understand what respectful behaviours are and being respectful towards others. These texts include a selection of stories from other cultures. 
• Children are taught to be respectful towards our resources and our books ensuring we look after our equipment.
• Children are taught to be respectful by taking turns and listening carefully to others.
• Children are taught to respect the views of others, even when they are different from them or may make different choices or have different personal beliefs.

Respect rights -RRSA – Understand our rights, how they affect our lives and rights of children globally, celebrating differences

• RRSA work is a thread throughout the curriculum.
• Pupils are taught to understand that they have a voice and are encouraged to be global citizens.
• They are given the opportunity to use their English skills to write letters (e.g to politicians), have debates and allow their voices to be heard.
• Children learn about children’s rights, on a local and global level.

Respect the environment – our school, the community and the wider world

• Children are exposed to a variety of texts that teach the children about the importance of respecting the environment.
• Children use their skills in English to research environmental issues, write persuasive texts to encourage people to be more environmentally friendly. They may write letters to politicians or local communities to highlight issues etc

Be Safe

Keep ourselves safe – know how to report concerns and worries, including with friendships

• Our aim is for children to feel safe and confident in English lessons.
• Children are taught ways to seek help and are supported when finding English difficult.
• Children are taught to discuss any problems, using their speaking and listening skills appropriately to resolve any issues they may have.

Being safe in the school and community – Knowledge about, our families, the school, the local context and wider world

• Children are encouraged to write for purpose and once again use their English skills to highlight/promote safety in school and the local community.
• Children are taught how English is the Key to all learning and its importance in relation to all aspects of the wider world.

Being safe online –Using technology for the right reasons and knowing its limitations

• Children are taught about online safety, online bullying and how to use technology in a safe way.
• Children follow school rules when using technology.
• Children know who to report worries and concerns to.