English
Reading
Reading opens the door to learning and is at the heart of of our curriculum. Children learn to read through carefully chosen ambitious texts that form the basis of our English learning. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who reads challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns, the more they will want to find out. We are passionate about creating a love of reading across school and our aim at Primrose Lane is for every child to leave our school a reader.
To read effectively children need to read fluently therefore we place great emphasis on children building up their fluency through our active reading lessons.
Every classroom has its own special reading area where children can access a wide range of age appropriate texts. Children in all classes love to spend time in the book area getting lost in new and familiar texts.
Phonics and Early Reading
At Primrose Lane we use Read Write Inc Phonics a government validated systematic synthetic phonics program. Children begin their phonics journey in Reception. Phonics is taught daily and children develop reading fluency and comprehension and learn to spell and write with confidence. Alongside the development of reading they learn to articulate their ideas and understanding and write. We work in partnership with the Jerry Clay English Hub, a centre of excellence in phonics and early reading. Through this partnership Primrose Lane has access to a network of schools, to work collaboratively with and share best practise with.
For more information about phonics and early reading click here.
Active Reading
Children learn to read through encountering challenging texts which form the basis of each half term’s English learning. Our reading lessons focus on developing vocabulary, teachers modelling high-quality active reading, and lots of practice for children to develop their key skills. In Key Stage 2, these are to explain the meaning of words in context, retrieve information from the text, interpret the meaning of the text, and consider authorial choices. Children will recognise these vital key skills as our 'VIPERS' skills. Our teaching of reading is simple but effective.
We place a great emphasis on children building their fluency of reading so that they are able to access and understand the challenging texts which form our reading curriculum. Children practice reading daily when enjoying the class text, in addition to two hour-long lessons dedicated to teaching children how to apply their key skills.
Writing
At Primrose Lane Primary School, our Writing curriculum is designed as an integral and inseparable part of our broader English curriculum, reflecting the understanding that reading is "breathing in" and writing as "breathing out." Our Active Reading lessons, use carefully chosen texts to inspire and support pupils’ writing development. These texts serve as windows, doors, and mirrors, enabling pupils to see themselves reflected, explore new worlds, and gain insight into diverse experiences, fostering not only a love of reading but also a passion for writing.
We teach Writing at Primrose Lane to empower pupils to become confident, articulate writers who can communicate their ideas effectively and creatively across a range of contexts. Our intent is to develop pupils’ ability to compose coherent, well-structured texts that reflect clear thinking and purposeful language choices. Pupils learn not only the mechanics of writing but also the metacognitive skills required to plan, draft, revise, and edit their work systematically.
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG)
Grammar and Punctuation at Primrose Lane
At Primrose Lane Primary School, we have chosen to use the Classroom Secrets programme as the foundation for our Punctuation, and Grammar curriculum. This provides a clearly sequenced approach that explicitly teaches punctuation and grammar skills, which are then embedded within our broader English lessons. The curriculum aligns closely with the requirements of the National Curriculum, ensuring that our pupils develop a secure understanding of the technical aspects of the English language, with a focus on building foundational knowledge and gradually increasing complexity. By teaching the technical aspects of language explicitly, we are providing our pupils with the necessary tools to express themselves clearly, effectively, and with confidence.
- SPaG Long Term Plans
Spelling
Once children have completed the Read Write Inc Phonics program, confidently know their sounds and can apply them in their reading and writing, they begin the Read Write Inc Spelling program.
Read Write Inc Spelling gets every child spelling. It is a stand-alone programme for children in Year 2 to Year 6 and has been specially created to meet the demands of the new national curriculum.
It includes:
- short, snappy 15 minute sessions
- an exciting online spelling planet with three friendly aliens
- Log Books to support and record progress
- practice tests to build confidence prior to Year 2 and 6 SATS .
Watch this video to see more about Read Write Inc spelling and the impact it has.
http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/resources/read-write-inc-spelling/
Within our classroom practise we encourage children to correct their spelling independently by using word banks and their pupil spelling log books.
Handwriting
Handwriting is a basic skill that influences the quality of work throughout the curriculum. Greater emphasis has been placed on presentation, the formation of letters and joined handwriting to meet the end of Key Stage targets so the formal teaching of handwriting is carried out regularly and systematically to support meeting these. By the end of Key Stage 2 all pupils should have the ability to produce fluent, legible and, eventually, speedy joined-up handwriting. Through the use of Letter join, we aim to make handwriting an automatic process that does not interfere with creative and mental thinking.
Skills taught throughout school
Foundation:
For our youngest pupils we teach handwriting on a daily basis and as part of our phonics sessions.
Activities include the following;
- Movements to enhance gross motor skills such as air-writing, pattern making, dancing.
- Exercises to develop fine motor skills such as making marks on paper, whiteboards, blackboards, sand trays, iPads and tablets.
- Letter learning to familiarise letter shapes, formation and vocabulary. We do not teach cursive letter formation in the Foundation Stage.
Years 1 to 3:
Tuition will continue with three to five weekly lessons of around 30 minutes covering:
- Gross and fine motor skills exercises.
- Cursive handwriting introduction and practice.
- Numerals, capitals and printed letters: where and when to use, learning and practice.
Years 4 to 6:
More advanced handwriting techniques will be taught during two or three weekly lessons of 30 to 45 minutes teaching:
- Cursive handwriting re-enforcement.
- Form-filling/labelling using printed and capital letters.
- Dictation exercises to teach the need for quick notes and speedy handwriting writing.
Whole School Handwriting Overview
Handwriting at home
