English

We understand that Literacy is a fundamental life skill: children should be enabled to express themselves effectively, using the English language clearly, precisely and creatively - both orally and within their written work. 

Inclusion is at the heart of our oracy intention. All children are given the support and opportunities they need to be able to speak eloquently, articulate ideas and thoughts, collaborate with peers and have the confidence to express their views. We aim to celebrate the diversity of language, dialects and accents within our school community.

We aim for all of our children to become enthusiastic, reflective and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama, as well as non-fiction and media texts; establishing a life-long love of reading  for pleasure and for learning. An initial systematic and synthetic phonics approach to early reading enables children’s confidence to grow as they rapidly acquire new sounds and words. As children move through the school, they gain a fuller understanding of how language works by looking at its patterns, structures and origins.

Our belief is that all pupils should be able to confidently communicate their knowledge, ideas and emotions through their writing. We want pupils to acquire a wide vocabulary, a solid understanding of grammar and be able to spell new words. By writing clearly, accurately and coherently, by adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences, children will grow to see themselves as skillful writers. We do not put ceilings on what our pupils can achieve in their writing!

We appreciate the importance of parents and carers in supporting their children to develop their abilities in and enthusiasm for literacy, and we want to encourage a home-school partnership which enables parents and carers to play their valuable role in enhancing and enriching the literacy skills being taught in school.