English
At Hucklow Primary school, we believe that language and literacy is fundamental to the overall development of children and their access to the curriculum. We believe an ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to read a wide range of texts is essential if children are to achieve their potential throughout their time in education and beyond. We aim for all our children to leave Hucklow confident and enthusiastic speakers, readers and writers. English lessons and wider curriculum provision, focuses on developing spoken language and a lifelong love of reading and writing. We ensure that all children access an enriched curriculum which allows them to start reading early as we believe that we learn to read and then we read to learn. In line with the National Curriculum, we ensure that all children:
- 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.
Our pupils enjoy English lessons and a ‘reading for pleasure’ culture is created by naturally weaving books throughout the curriculum.
Please click below for further information about Reading, Writing and Speaking and listening at Hucklow.
Reading
At Hucklow Primary School, we believe reading underpins everything we do and it is at the heart of our curriculum. Reading is prioritised and taught with passion, we want children to love reading as much as we do.
We teach reading lessons daily, which equip our children with the key skills needed to be confident, courageous and creative, with high aspirations and a strong vision of themselves as a learner. The teaching of reading, both the technical aspects of decoding language and the opportunity for pupils to develop a love of literature, is one of the most important aspects of school life. By increasing children’s breadth of vocabulary, we will empower every child to succeed. We help children to enjoy books form many different genres by a diverse range of authors.
We follow a rigorous system of synthetic phonics, based on Ruth Muskin’s Read Write Inc Phonics programme. Alongside this, children have access to high quality texts as they learn to read independently.
Once children have completed the Read Write Inc programme, we teach reading through daily whole class reading sessions which focus on developing children’s skills in the following areas:
- Understanding the use of vocabulary
- Reading fluency
- Comprehensions skills
Our reading progression teaches the key skills of decoding, retrieval and inference and deduction. Our children learn how to analyse a text through different types of reading questions. We focus on the explicit teaching of vocabulary and knowledge to enhance children’s understanding of what they read.
Reading lessons are based around carefully selected class texts. They are engaging and interactive sessions where whole class participation is expected. The sessions ensure that children gain a good understanding of the reading skills required throughout primary school. We aim for our children to leave primary school as confident readers.
Storytime
Story time is planned across school. Teachers read high quality literature to the children, helping them develop their vocabulary as well as introducing them to unfamiliar ideas and concepts. It also gives children the opportunity to tackle longer or more challenging text than they would be able to alone.
A reading culture is demonstrated through the school, and planned literary events throughout the year highlight our commitment to developing your child’s love of reading.
Please see links below for more information about our reading curriculum
Writing
At Hucklow Primary School, we are passionate about children achieving their full potential in all areas of English. Children are encouraged to express themselves creatively and imaginatively as they become enthusiastic and critical readers and writers. We believe that writing should have a purpose and we write for a wide range of purposes.
We teach our writing through high quality, age-appropriate texts which hook children in and increases engagement and enjoyment in all areas of our English curriculum. Through exploring a range of texts, cultures and viewpoints with children, we encourage a deeper understanding and acceptance of the diverse world in which we live.
Grammar and sentence structure is modelled explicitly as part of the writing process. A carefully sequenced progression ensures that our children develop and practice key grammatical structures with high levels of repetition through school. This results in children who can write confidently and with a high degree of technical accuracy by the end of key stage 2.
Children work collaboratively in their English lessons; they are keen to experiment with their writing and are not afraid to make mistakes. They are taught to give kind and respectful peer-to-peer feedback and they enjoy working with each other. This, in turn, helps promote a shared love of reading and writing and a sense of togetherness within each class.
Spelling and Handwriting
Both spelling and handwriting are taught and modelled in discrete lessons and also practiced and applied through writing. We follow the Read Write Inc. Spelling Programme and the Nelson handwriting programme. This ensures that these skills are developed through carefully sequenced and organised lessons.
Speaking and Listening
Oracy has a central place in our curriculum, reflecting the vital importance of spoken language on our pupils’ development. Children are supported to speak in Standard English at all times whilst at school. There are opportunities to talk right across the curriculum as this is recognised as being a key way in which pupils learn. They are supported to talk about their ideas, helping to consolidate their knowledge and understanding. In addition to making formal presentations and participating in debates, children are challenged every lesson to articulate their thinking clearly and concisely. We encourage and celebrate speaking and listening across the wider curriculum.
“Our children truly have a love of reading, it’s magical”.
Miss Geeleher, reading lead
