English at North Fawdon 

At North Fawdon, we believe that English is a fundamental aspect of learning. Success in English provides access to the whole curriculum and gives children opportunities for success throughout. It is vital that we encourage a love of language and literature to ensure lifelong learning for all pupils.

Reading is at the heart of the curriculum at North Fawdon and reading for pleasure is an element of English we strongly encourage. Every classroom has a wonderful reading area which houses a range of high quality texts that promote a love of reading.  We also have a wonderful school ‘Reading Forest’ which all children have weekly access to. 

At North Fawdon, we are dedicated to providing all children with a balanced curriculum of genres whilst teaching key skills in a meaningful, purposeful context. Careful planning and assessment alongside high quality teaching ensures we meet the needs of all learners.

In addition to this, we provide children with challenges that stretch and encourage exploration of language and literature by encouraging the use of critical higher order thinking skills.

English teaching covers specific categories:

• Spoken language – speaking and listening
• Reading – word reading and comprehension
• Writing – transcription (spelling and handwriting) and composition (planning and structure)
• SpaG – spelling, punctuation and grammar

At North Fawdon Primary School, we believe it is essential that all children are given plenty of opportunities to equip them with the skills, across all four categories, needed to succeed. These opportunities present themselves both in the English lesson and across the curriculum including topic and science. Well-planned, thoughtful organisation of the school timetable ensures that this is possible for all learners.

Daily reading sessions are incorporated in addition to the English lesson. This provides opportunities for children to build on and consolidate comprehension skills.

We are committed to increasing children’s reading fluency and provide dedicated time for children to practice Word Walls in order to increase their bank of words they can read on sight.

Discrete spelling, punctuation and grammar sessions are taught regularly and this is often put into context within the teaching sequence of a unit of work.

Assessment of English 

Daily formative assessments within lessons are ongoing - informing staff about a child’s needs and progress within the four areas of English teaching, and helping to plan future work and adjust teaching.

At North Fawdon, we have an evidence collection system for both reading and writing to track the progress of each child half-termly and support teacher assessment. The evidence collection sheets are directly aligned to the end of year National Curriculum statements. From the collation and analysis of evidence, teachers can reflect on teaching, assess and plan key skills that need further work and set targets for individuals and groups. A combination of daily and weekly intervention and booster work helps to address and support any gaps in pupil’s learning. All interventions are reviewed half termly with specific focus on the impact for children.

We use Cornerstones Assessment for reading and SPaG (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation) in Years 2-5. Termly assessment tests support teacher assessment and provide children with opportunities to evaluate their learning and reflect on their progress. Using assessment gap analysis tools, teachers are able to support children to identify target areas.

In Year 6, SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) reading papers are used to support assessment and track progress throughout the year. Children take a statutory SATs test in the Summer term in Reading, Maths and SPAG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar).

The use of Salford Reading Score tests are used from Year 2 to Year 6 twice yearly. This, combined with daily formative assessment, helps to measure an individual’s reading age and helps to support additional targeted reading provision.  We also take half termly reading fluency assessments.

Weekly spelling tests are given to children from Years 1 to 6. Each Friday a new set of spelling words is uploaded to Seesaw for practise at home. Children also practise these words in school in preparation for their spelling test the following week.