English
Welcome to the English page.
Mrs Cokell leads English throughout school.
‘I have always loved English. From a a very young age, I loved books and reading. I was often found with a torch under my bed covers reading my favourite book, ‘Gobbolino’. My love of English continued through my time at primary school (Sandylands) Yes, I’m a Sandylands’ past pupil. I loved writing stories and even won a writing competition in Year 6!
I studied English Literature at A level and achieved an Honours degree at St Martins in Lancaster whilst also studying teaching.
I am excited about the opportunity to lead English at Sandylands. There is nothing I love more than encouraging and watching children succeed and enjoy the subject I love.’
Mrs Cokell
Our English curriculum …
Our high-quality English curriculum teaches pupils to speak, read and write fluently so that they can communicate their learning, ideas and opinions to others. At Sandylands Primary School, English is both a subject in its own right and the medium for teaching across all subjects.
Our aims are in line with the National Curriculum for English:
• to read easily, fluently and with good understanding;
• to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information;
• to acquire a wide vocabulary; an understanding of grammar; and knowledge of linguistic conventions, for reading, writing and spoken language;
• to appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage;
• to write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences;
• to use discussion in order to learn; pupils should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas;
• to be competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
At Sandylands we prioritise the acquisition of language. The cultural capital obtained in becoming articulate users of a rich vocabulary is one of the main drivers underpinning our curriculum. Interwoven through all areas of our knowledge-based learning is how we support pupils as they develop confidence and fluency, using a wide range of vocabulary in different contexts. This includes subject-specific language related to school curriculum areas and vocabulary choices that pupils have available to them when they write. Pupils are also taught how to differentiate between shades of meaning and develop an interest and a love of language through their wider reading.
Click on the link below to access our English Principles, Practices and Guarantee
English curriculum principles practices and guarantee
English Learning Pathway
Knowledge
Speaking and Listening – being competent and confident in the art of speaking and listening ie. debates/ presentations / persuasion
Reading – reading easily, fluently and with good understanding.
Writing – write clearly, accurately and coherently adapting their language and style for different purposes and audiences.
Vocabulary – acquire a wide rich vocabulary and understanding of grammar for reading, writing and spoken language.
Timetabling
English is taught for a dedicated hour a day.
Guided reading is taught outside of the English session daily for 30-45 minutes.
Phonics is taught using the Read Write inc programme and delivered in Reception through to Year 2 daily for between 20-45 minutes dependent on the child’s challenge point.
Fast track and Fresh start tutoring is delivered to those children who are at risk of falling behind daily for between 15-30 minutes.
Assessment
Assessment in English happens in a variety of ways during a lesson from answering comprehension questions in guided reading sessions to more formal checkpoint assessments at the end of each term. Reception children complete a baseline assessment for English as they start school in September. At the end of Key stage 1 and 2 , the children complete a reading SAT as well as the teacher assessing their writing. Year 6 also complete a Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation assessment as part of their SAT assessments.
CPD for teachers
All staff who deliver phonics sessions are trained, coached and receive updates regularly by our Early Reading lead.
Guided reading workshops enable staff to further enhance their knowledge of how to teach reading.
We work closely with external colleagues and advisors who offer valuable support with planning – the Sandylands way.
Essential Entitlement
Captions
Part of English is being able to read and understand the text, before beginning to write it. Here we are in Year 1, learning to read simple captions and match them to the corresponding picture!
Labels
To get us started with our English this year, we are beginning with a non-fiction unit. We got used to our new classroom looking for labels to learn what they are used for.
Reading With Rabbit and Maths Counting Fun!
Here are some of the things we have been learning over the last few weeks. The children have been reading a favourite book to 'Reading Rabbit' and talking about the characters. We have been using our phonic skills to blend words and then used the magnets and boards to...
Autumn Fun
We have been very busy over the last few weeks! We have mixed colours using natural materials, made sunflower pictures, found natural materials and had a go at drawing maps. We have had great fun!
Read Write inc Writing
The children in Reception and Year 1 have been getting to grips with writing using the Read Write inc writing booklets. It's giving them an added element to the writing process and they are concentrating on the basic skills to ensure they develop into the best writers...
Run. run as fast as you can…
Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man! Nursery had a great time making gingerbread men last week. They followed the instructions and then ate them all up - they were very tasty!
Reading Passport superstars
We are so proud of our latest Reading Passport superstars who have managed to read over 30 and 50 books and receive their reading certificates. It's not too late to get involved if you want to get a reading passport, ask your teacher or one of the reading ambassadors...
Year 1 Book club
_ Year 1 have been having great fun at their Book Club over the last few weeks. Our reading ambassadors have been working with Mrs Orr to help share books, take part in drama and use puppets to re-tell some familiar tales. The children have been looking at books from...
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Last Updated on January 18, 2023
