English
Intent
At Marsden Infant and Nursery School, our curriculum intent for English is to foster a lifelong love of reading and writing in our pupils while developing their language and communication skills. We aim to equip our children with the tools to express themselves effectively, engage in reading a wide range of texts, and to build a solid foundation to become successful writers for academic and social success.
Our objectives include:
- A Rich Reading Culture: We intend to expose children to a diverse range of texts, including classic literature, contemporary works, poetry, and non-fiction, to inspire a passion for reading.
- Developing Writing Proficiency: We focus on developing children’s ability to write fluently and with automaticity.
- Promoting Language Acquisition: We aim to enhance vocabulary and grammar skills through immersive experiences, discussions, and targeted interventions to ensure all pupils, regardless of their starting points, can communicate effectively.
- Inclusivity and Accessibility: Our curriculum is carefully designed to meet the needs of all learners, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring that every pupil can achieve their potential in English.
Implementation
Our approach to implementing the English curriculum is systematic, engaging, and reflective of best practices in teaching and learning.
Key Strategies Include:
- Structured Phonics Programme: We employ a systematic synthetic phonics programme in early years and Key Stage 1, ensuring that pupils can decode and comprehend texts from an early age. Teachers provide explicit instruction tailored to individual learning needs through regular assessments and interventions.
- Reading for Pleasure Initiatives: We have established a vibrant reading culture through daily reading sessions, library access, and reading challenges. Staff model a passion for reading, offering recommendations and hosting author visits to excite pupils about literature.
- Writing Framework: Writing is taught through a systematic approach to developing transcription skills through a handwriting and spelling programme. Composition is taught by explicit teaching of sentences and oral composition of sentences using engaging and authentic contexts. Regular feedback and opportunities for redrafting help refine writing skills.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: English learning is integrated across the curriculum, such as writing experiments in science or creating narratives in history. This approach promotes a deeper understanding and retention of knowledge.
- Ongoing Professional Development: Our teaching staff engage in continuous professional development to enhance their pedagogical practices in English. We utilise coaching, peer observations, and purposeful reflections on classroom practice to foster growth and innovation.
Impact
The impact of our English curriculum is evident in the confident, articulate, and enthusiastic learners we develop.
Measurable Outcomes:
- Assessment Results: A high proportion of pupils meet or exceed age-related expectations in reading and writing, as evidenced by key stage assessment data and internal tracking. Regular evaluations indicate continuous progress for all students.
- Engagement and Participation: Pupil engagement in lessons is consistently high, with increased participation in reading initiatives and writing competitions, indicating a genuine enjoyment and appreciation for English.
- Feedback from Stakeholders: Regular feedback from parents, pupils, and staff reflects a positive sentiment about the quality of English education. Surveys indicate that parents feel informed and involved in their children's literacy development.
- Broader Impacts: As pupils progress, they demonstrate improved language skills and are able to articulate their thoughts in both verbal and written form.
In conclusion, our engaging English curriculum prepares our pupils for academic success creating a community of lifelong learners who appreciate the power of language and literature.