English at Stoke Park Junior School

English has a vital place in education and in society. At Stoke Park we provide a high-quality education in English that will teach our children to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them.

Through reading in particular, our children have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually through a curriculum of carefully chosen rich texts that engage and inspire children; and additionally promote a culture of mutual respect. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development and we ensure our children explore a range of rich texts that include a range of; novels that promote diversity, heritage texts and language, traditional tales, myths and legends, different forms of poetry and also a plethora of non-fiction to ensure children experience a range of text types and genres. Our English curriculum for reading and writing is underpinned by these rich texts that promote our school values of: Respect, Inspire, Safe and Engage.

The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping children with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. At Stoke Park we strive for every child to achieve their best.

The national curriculum for 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.

Spoken language

At Stoke Park Junior School, we value the importance of spoken language by supporting our children’s development across the whole curriculum – cognitively, socially and linguistically. Spoken language underpins the development of reading and writing which are integral parts of our curriculum offering. The quality and variety of language that children hear and speak are vital for developing their vocabulary and grammar and their understanding for reading and writing. Our skilled teachers ensure the continual development of children’s confidence and competence in spoken language and listening skills though effective book talk and reading as a writer to ensure our children are equipped to speak, read and write for a range of purposes and audiences. At our school, our children will develop a capacity to explain their understanding of books and other reading, and to prepare their ideas before they write. They are supported in making their thinking clear to themselves as well as to others by ensuring that that children build secure foundations through discussion to achieve their best.

Through our reading and writing curriculum, our children are taught to understand and use the conventions for discussion and debate. All children are enabled to participate in and gain knowledge, skills and understanding associated with the artistic practice of drama where children are able to adopt, create and sustain a range of roles, responding appropriately to others in role. Through our English curriculum children have opportunities to improvise, devise and script drama for one another and a range of audiences, as well as to rehearse, refine, share and respond thoughtfully to drama and theatre performances.

For further information about our Reading, Writing and Phonics provision, please follow the links below.