English Curriculum
Overview of English at Le Cateau
At Le Cateau, we prioritise language and communication; these skills are taught throughout the curriculum and, as much as possible in a purposeful context. The National curriculum for English is used by all staff as the key tool to planning in order to provide clear progression and expectations within Key Stage1 and Key Stage 2.
Areas of English - Intent Statements
Implementation
Reading is at the heart of our curriculum. Our aim is for every child to leave Le Cateau a fluent and life-long reader. All children are taught reading and listen to high quality texts read by the class teacher daily. We faithfully follow 'Read Write Inc' from Nursery into Reception and throughout Key Stage1 as our main way of teaching phonics and early reading skills. We also use Read Write Inc for those children in Key Stage 2 who need some extra support.
We ensure children are exposed to quality texts as they journey through the school, and have carefully selected a range of fiction and non-fiction books which we feel will build cultural capital, foster a love of reading and enhance the curriculum.
Phonics at Le Cateau
We instil a sense of awe and wonder around books and we provide children with memorable experiences which connect learning to read with pleasure. Our purposeful library is well used by children, who have weekly times to enjoy books.
At Le Cateau, we follow Read Write Inc . Every Phonics lesson recaps on known sounds and introduced new sounds. Children apply their learning to writing daily. Reading books closely match the phonic sounds children are learning.
Regular sharing of books at home with carers is hugely beneficial in helping children to consolidate their learning and enjoy special times together with books.
Parent information can be found here.
Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar (SPAG)
At Key Stage 2 SPAG sessions are taught as discrete daily sessions that link into the teaching of English.
Class Reads
Children are read to daily to ensure they experience a rich and varied diet of reading regardless of their ability to decode text. Teachers will endeavour to share their love of literature with their classes. A range of authors and genres will be covered throughout the year – particularly each year groups focus authors. These are authors whose writing the children will meet across the year and become familiar with. Specific texts are used to drive each theme and are outlined by each year group. Alongside these high quality texts, additional texts are used covering a range of genres and are based on Pie Corbett’s Reading Spine. This is a core of books that create a living library inside a child’s mind. It is a store of classics and essential reads that help children engage at a deeper level and enter the world of the story.
Handwriting
Handwriting is taught regularly focussing on letter formation and joins. All teachers will model and directly teach handwriting regularly.
