English Curriculum

At Southborough CEP School, we believe English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to develop their thinking time and teach them to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually; with these skills pupils have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and cultural capital to succeed in everyday life. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society and accessing the opportunities the world will give them.

Our Aims

The overarching aim for English in the Primary National Curriculum and at Southborough CEP is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.

At Southborough CEP the intent of the English curriculum is to ensure that all pupils:

• read easily, fluently and with good understanding of the text
• 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 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.

Writing

At Southborough CEP School we teach writing using the Power of Reading. The Power of Reading is the teaching programme we have adopted to inspire, motivate and develop the teaching of writing through engaging teaching approaches and promoting a love of both reading and writing.  The Power of Reading explores the core components of developing a vibrant piece of writing and ignites our enthusiasm for writing as we immerse ourselves in a range of settings, characters, roles and the real world! We have created writing curriculum maps that ensure that ideas are being introduced, recapped and embedded constantly.

Children’s writing is supported by shared, guided and paired writing and a variety of resources including images, word mats, plans, talk mats, dictionaries and thesauruses. At Southborough CEP we also have a massive focus on the individual – as such children have individual targets that inform their writing and their editing.

Handwriting

It is paramount that children are rigorously taught correct letter formation from the very beginning of their time in school. From their start here at Southborough CEP School, the children are taught to sit  well for writing in order to have the correct posture for writing, hold a pencil in the correct position and develop a legible handwriting style. When children are ready, the school adopts a cursive handwriting style. Teachers are expected to model the school’s handwriting style when marking children’s work, writing on the board and on displays around the school. Handwriting provision is based on Spectrum Handwriting Programme which provides teachers with the tools for explicit handwriting teaching and the children with opportunities for reinforcement and self-assessment. We also use Teach Handwriting to reinforce children's handwriting through explicit lessons. 

Please see the link below for further resources and help. 

Handwriting Scheme

Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation 

Grammar, punctuation and vocabulary skills are taught explicitly during writing lessons and the children identify how authors have used them effectively during their reading lessons. Grammar and punctuation skills are planned and taught using the 2014 National curriculum year group expectations and children are expected to apply their knowledge in their writing.

Spelling

At Southborough we recognise the importance of spelling as it allows children to effectively communicate in the written form whilst also enhancing their reading and vocabulary skills. From Year 2-6 Spelling is taught explicitly through the RWI spelling scheme. The strategies taught in RWI spelling are also used independently in English lessons. The RWI spelling scheme uses a proven fast-paced phonics based spelling scheme that builds on what they learnt in EYFS and Year 1. For those children who are not at the stage where they are fluent readers then keep-up provision will continue to be provided. 

Please use the link below for further information and help about our Spelling Scheme. 

RWI Spelling Scheme