English
At Our Lady of Compassion, our English curriculum aims to inspire pupils and encourage a love of literature, through the use of high quality texts as stimuli for writing. The skills of phonics, spelling and grammar are woven through our curriculum and taught in context, ensuring that pupils develop these necessary skills and can apply them across all areas of the curriculum.
Evidence indicates that success in literacy relies on the secure development of language and these skills are amongst the best predictors of educational success (Educational Endowment Foundation, 2020). Supporting our pupils’ language development is a priority and underpins everything that we do.
Our English curriculum provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion and closely follows the aims of the National Curriculum for English 2014 to enable all children to:
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read easily, fluently and with good understanding
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develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
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acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
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appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
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write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
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use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
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be competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
These aims are embedded across our English lessons and the wider curriculum. We provide the means for children to develop a secure knowledge-base in English, which follows a clear pathway of progression.
It is our intention that the children will develop their mastery approach to writing by using their skills and transfer these to write in other curriculum subjects.
Rigorous assessment and review will ensure that the needs of all children are met.
Early Reading
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Early reading is supported through the Read Write Inc programme. Children take part in small group and whole class comprehension lessons in which high-quality texts and specific strategies are used, and where teachers explicitly model, monitor and assess reading skills to ensure children read for meaning.
Pathways to Read
Pathways to Read compliments Pathways to Write and equips pupils from Year 2 onwards with key skills to move them through the reading process towards becoming competent and fluent readers. Lessons are linked to high-quality texts and ensure engaging and purposeful reading lessons.
Pathways to Write
From Year 1 to Year 6 we use Pathways to Write. Pathways to Write is a proven methodology built around units of work which develop vocabulary, reading and writing skills through the mastery approach. The writing curriculum is taught through a high-quality book led approach. By studying a high-quality text, we provide a purpose and a context for writing. We believe that pupils who are provided with a reason for writing demonstrate effective writing composition, leading to high quality outcomes.