English Leader - Mrs N. Moss
Phonics Leader - Miss R. Jones
Intent
Our English curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and carefully designed to ensure that all pupils develop the essential literacy skills required for success. Through a well-sequenced and progressive curriculum, pupils are supported and challenged to achieve a high standard of reading, writing, speaking and listening. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all learners, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, enabling everyone to make strong progress from their starting points.
Literacy is prioritised across the whole curriculum, as we recognise that secure English skills are fundamental to pupils’ achievement in all subjects. Our aim is for pupils to become confident, fluent readers and articulate writers who can express their ideas clearly and effectively. This ensures pupils are able to access the full breadth of the curriculum and are well prepared for the next stages of their education.
The curriculum develops pupils’ command of spoken and written language while nurturing a genuine love of literature through regular opportunities to read widely and for pleasure. Pupils build an ambitious vocabulary, develop a secure understanding of grammar, and learn how to apply language conventions accurately across a range of contexts. A strong foundation in English empowers pupils to succeed academically and develop confidence as learners.
Our English curriculum also contributes significantly to pupils’ Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development. Through high-quality texts, discussion and reflection, pupils develop respect, empathy and critical thinking skills. Fundamental British Values are embedded throughout English lessons, supporting pupils to become responsible, informed and active members of modern British society.
'Reading at the heart of the curriculum'
Our Reading Vision
Implementation
Early Reading at Ashurst
Phonics Leader - Miss R. Jones
We use an approved and validated systematic synthetic phonics teaching programme at Ashurst. Validation status indicates that our programme, Read, Write, Inc. Phonics has been self-assessed by its publisher and judged by a small panel with relevant expertise and that both consider it to meet all of the Department for Education (DFE) criteria for an effective systematic synthetic phonics programme.
Through the Read Write Inc phonics programme, Children at Ashurst are taught to recognise sounds, read decodable green words, red tricky words and alien words. Children also practise spelling these words and writing them down. Children are taught to apply their phonics skills and improve fluency through the Read, Write, Inc. story books used during these sessions. All staff receive RWI training, regular updates and development days to ensure high standards and consistency when delivering the programme. Children's progress in phonics is closely tracked and children are regularly assessed and regrouped. Our Reading Leader tracks progress and identifies anyone who requires 1:1 intervention which is implemented without delay in order for children to 'catch-up'.
Home reading books for our Early Readers - Early Years and Key Stage 1
Home reading books are phonics based and exactly match our phonics programme to ensure books closely match the sound being taught in lessons. Children take these home and parents are encouraged to support children in reading these. There are also activities and questions for them to complete in the front and back of the books. Children's progress through the reading levels is again closely tracked and once children no longer need the RWI phonics programme, they are moved onto colour book banded books.
Click on the link below to find out more about how we teach phonics through the Read, Write, Inc. programme
A love of reading shines through in our Early Years
Reading in Key Stage 2
Key Stage 2 Independent Reading
From Year 3 onwards children access books from our school library through our colour book bands. Children will be placed on the right colour book band for them. We want all children to feel confident and successful when reading so we assess children to find the right level. Children move through these colour book bands and love the variety, depth and breadth which we offer. We have invested much into these books and really do have something for every reader. Children have led decisions on stock in the library and have the chance to tell us what they want to read. Children write book reviews through our 'post it note review' system which keeps book talk alive at Ashurst.
Children in Key Stage 2 also access Reading Plus, a program which develops reading fluency. Find out more below.
Reading Plus for Key Stage 2 children
Reading Plus is a program for children in our Key Stage 2. It teaches them to become stronger readers by developing silent fluency, reading speed and comprehension. Reading Plus provides stories which increase in difficulty. Children read a short text and answer 10 questions. Children have access to 800+ high quality texts that are constantly updated and adapted to meet every child's needs. Reading Plus does not replace reading books. The program is designed to teach each child to become a more efficient reader, thus helping to support a lifelong love of reading.
Children at Ashurst work so well through this program and tell us they love it! Go to our pupil voice, in the 'Impact' section of this page, to find out what KS2 children say about it. Keep up the brilliant work children!
Getting the most from Reading Plus at home
Click on the link below for some useful guidance:
Curriculum Documents
| Name | Format | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Files | |||
| English intent implementation impact 2024.pdf | |||
| Reading Progression.pdf |
