English at St Meriadoc Junior Academy

At St Meriadoc Junior Academy, we provide our pupils with a purposeful and exciting English curriculum which is in line with the National Curriculum 2014. We ensure that children learn the key skills in order to speak, read and write with confidence whilst giving them inspiring and motivating experiences in English sessions. Our curriculum is tailored to our children’s needs and interests and we celebrate individual achievements with pride.   

Aims and objectives in the teaching of English:

• to enable children to speak clearly and audibly, and to take account of their listeners;
• to encourage children to listen with concentration, in order to identify the main points of what they have heard;
• to teach children effective communication, both verbal and non-verbal, through a variety of drama activities;
• to help them to become confident, independent readers;
• to develop enthusiastic and reflective readers, through contact with a range of different text types;
• to foster the enjoyment of writing, and a recognition of its value;
• to encourage accurate and meaningful writing, be it narrative or non-fiction;
• to improve the planning, drafting and editing of their written work.

Writing

Our aim is for our children to be able to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in their writing and apply these across a variety of text types. We would like our children to be able to write legibly, accurately and creatively.

• A medium term plan for writing accompanies this document and outlines the expectations in terms of coverage and approach to the teaching of the conventions of text.
• Each week there is a different spelling focus in line with expectations for the year group. As well as a discrete session focusing on spelling, there are mini-reminder sessions that take place throughout the week. Weekly spellings are sent home to be learnt which reflect the focus for the week. The ‘Get Spelling’ resource is used to support learning.
• Grammar and punctuation are taught both discretely and within the learning of text types. This way, children have the opportunity to learn a new skill or rule as well as to apply their knowledge within their own writing.
• The school has a separate policy for handwriting together with an accepted font style and expectations for learning.

Speaking and Listening

We strive to enable our children to clearly communicate their thoughts, ideas and opinions, and also to reflect upon what they learn.

• Children to partake in a range of activities both during English lessons and across the curriculum which promote the importance and development of Speaking and Listening as outlined in Curriculum 2014.

The ways in which the aims are developed include:

* Class debates * Drama and role play * Assemblies

* Talk partners     * Talk for Writing * Hot seating

* PSHE      *R Time * School Council  * Poetry Performance

 

            "Let the wise hear and increase in learning…"

Proverbs 1:5 ESV