Leaders’ high expectations coupled with bespoke training for staff have resulted in effectively supporting staff to help pupils make good progress. This is especially so in English…’- OfSTED 2019

Curriculum Intent

At St Faith’s we aim for excellence in English achievement throughout the school. We aim to develop pupils’ abilities within an integrated programme of Speaking & Listening, Reading and Writing. Pupils will be given opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding and skills in spoken and written English within a broad and balanced curriculum, with opportunities to consolidate and reinforce taught literacy skills.
At St Faith’s we follow the Programmes of Study in the National Curriculum and use this as a basis for designing units of work. The teaching of reading is prioritised through high quality daily phonics teaching in EYFS and KS1 alongside discrete guided reading sessions which focus on children's reading comprehension, as well as fluency. We use high quality texts as a stimulus and model for children's own writing.

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

Our teaching of English aims to ensure that all pupils:

• read easily, fluently and with good understanding
• 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 a 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