English at Forres Primary Academy

How are we teaching this subject? 

Our pupils begin their journey with Early Reading. All Pupils in Reception and Key Stage 1 take part in daily phonics lessons using the Twinkl. approach. This synthetic phonics programme is used to teach pupils how to sound out and blend letters to read words – a skill referred to as decoding. The structured teaching begins in reception and pupils complete the programme in Year 2. This leads them towards successfully reading with fluency and expression, with the expectation that by the end of Year 1 pupils will sit the Phonics Screening Test which is made up of 20 real words and 20 nonsense words. Throughout the Early Reading approach, the children’s understanding of phonics is assessed, and pupils are placed in groups according to which sounds they need to learn to move their reading forward. The children are regularly assessed to give them targeted support to help them read words with greater confidence.

Recognising that phonics is only part of the process of developing reading, as children move to Key Stage 2, they are introduced to key Reading Skills which are taught daily in a whole class approach. Within this approach, there is one session of explicit teaching of a skill and the following lessons focus on the reading skill-based activity and a comprehension-based activity where the children can consolidate their learning of the reading skill, they have learnt that week. Fluency and a love of reading are promoted through each pupil’s opportunity to access the library weekly and read to their class teacher during the week. Also, children are given the opportunity within a reading lesson for paired reading, where they are given the chance to discuss books, practise their fluency

At Forres, we recognise the value of modelling reading and each day children will be read to by an adult. This opportunity allows them to listen and simultaneously read along, and most importantly stretch their imagination and enjoy the wonders of a story.

Alongside Reading, we implement the CLPE scheme from Reception to Year 6 which is a text-based approach to our English lessons.  The scheme allows us to choose a variety of texts, linked to the pupils’ interests but also texts where they can see themselves. Writing for purpose is a pivotal part of our pupils’ learning and offering them a variety of genres through CLPE.

Built into our English curriculum are discrete weekly spelling and grammar lessons taught for 30 minutes each week. Alongside this, we are also implementing our progressive handwriting scheme, using our own policy and Letter Join. Pupils can use and apply their knowledge and skills throughout the week’s lessons and in a range of foundation subjects across the curriculum.

How do we know our pupils are succeeding? 

Our goal by the end of pupils' time at Forres is for all pupils to be literate, reading with fluency and expression, able to write for a range of purposes and audiences and ensure that all these skills are transferable into their next phase of education. We also aim to instil a love of reading and writing in all pupils throughout their time at Forres Primary Academy.