English Curriculum Intent Statement

Across the Hub of All Saints, Sharnford and Ullesthorpe CE Primary Schools we believe that Literacyis a fundamental life skill. Literacy develops children’s ability to listen, speak, read, write and communicate for a wide range of purposes. Therefore children are enabled to express themselves effectively: using the English language clearly and precisely, creatively and with imagination - both
orally and within their written work.

Inclusion is at the heart of our oracy intention. All children are given the support and opportunities they need to be able to speak eloquently, articulate ideas and thoughts, collaborate with peers and have the confidence to express their views. By embedding oracy in all aspects of the school’s culture and weaving it through the curriculum with our verbal feedback policy, children are able to respond
to high expectations and explicit teaching and modelling of speaking and listening. We aim to celebrate the diversity of languages, dialects and accents in the school and appreciate the experience and value the contributions of children with a wide variety of linguistic abilities.

Within reading, we aim for children to become enthusiastic, reflective and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama, as well as non-fiction and media texts; establishing a life-long love of reading for pleasure and for learning. Reading to learn includes reading for information, inspiration and imagination. This is done initially by introducing children to a systematic and synthetic phonics system, which enables their confidence to grow as they rapidly acquire new sounds and words. As children move through the school, they gain an understanding of how language works by looking at its patterns, structures and origins and confidently use their knowledge in speaking and writing across a range of different situations.

Our belief is that all pupils should be able to confidently communicate their knowledge, ideas and emotions through their writing. We want pupils to acquire a wide vocabulary, a solid understanding of grammar and be able to spell new words. By writing clearly, accurately and coherently, by adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences, children will grow to see themselves as skillful writers. We do not put ceilings on what pupils can achieve in writing and we do not hold pre-conceptions about any pupils’ ability to make progress. We understand the importance of parents and carers in supporting their children to develop their literacy abilities and enthusiasm, and so we want to encourage a home-school partnership which enables parents and carers to understand how to enhance and enrich the skills being taught in school.