INTENT

Our curriculum intent for English learning and teaching is to provide a diverse, stimulating and challenging reading curriculum which enables our children to develop fluency and independence in writing . 

IMPLEMENTATION

At Brookmead School we are passionate about reading and about becoming authors. Our staff implement this curriculum with enthusiasm to inspire our learners.

Reading

Reading underpins our whole curriculum and is linked to every subject that the children learn. We highly value good quality systematic teaching of phonics and early reading which is built upon throughout the school to ensure our children enjoy reading and become authors through their own writing.

We use Read Write Inc to teach early reading and writing skills. We use lit / lang (linked to Read Write Inc) for teaching and learning of handwriting. Our book banded books begin with Read Write Inc reading scheme books to ensure continuity of provision and to enrich the learning in phonics and reading session. As children become more fluent readers we have quality book banded 'real' books which build on readers skills. These are located in our library to ensure a love of reading. 

Our teaching of spelling across the school uses Read Write Inc to ensure continuity of provision and a clear building of skills. As children progress through the school, the teaching of spelling is applied through independent writing (being an author).

Through a range of quality, challenging texts the children will develop their reading skills; they will gain the knowledge they need to decode words, explore vocabulary and deepen their understanding of what they have read. We believe children should be immersed in rich literature and be given opportunities to investigate diverse and representative characters, positive role models, high level vocabulary, a range of genres and various authors.

By regularly visiting our school library, our classes can find, choose and share books. Storytime and book talk is a priority in all year groups. We also take part in author visits, local library visits and book events to enthuse a love of reading.

Our shared year groups areas celebrate our termly core and exposure texts - we have ensured diversity of subject matter and authors across the English curriculum. These include Wonder by R.J Palacio, the Little People Big Dreams series, Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Rauf, My Awesome Japan Adventure.  

At Brookmead, we use the VIPERS approach to teacher comprehension. The 6 domains focus on the comprehension aspect of reading and not the mechanics: decoding, fluency, prosody etc.  As such, VIPERS is not a reading scheme but rather a method of ensuring that teachers ask, and students are familiar with, a range of questions.  They allow the teacher to track the type of questions asked and the children’s responses to these which allows for targeted questioning afterwards.

Writing

At Brookmead school, we use the Talk for Writing approach. This  is a powerful approach as it is based on the research of how children learn. It enables children to read and write independently for a variety of audiences and purposes within different subjects. A key feature is that children internalise the language structures needed to write through ‘talking the text’, as well as close reading. The approach moves from dependence towards independence, with the teacher using shared and guided teaching to develop the ability in children to write creatively and powerfully.

At Brookmead we underpin our English work through our established core and exposure texts of quality fiction, poetry and non-fiction that all children experience and draw upon. These text alongside our writing focus overviews progress through the school. 

IMPACT

• We bring learning to life and life to learning through the way we teach English. 

• Children are inspired to challenge themselves and to achieve their best.

• Learners' writing is accurately levelled across the school so that staff have a clear understanding of next steps in learning and teaching.

• Learners are able to build upon prior learning due to consistency of approach across the school.

• Learners  have a wide vocabulary and are adventurous with vocabulary choices within their writing.

• Learners are confident in the art of speaking and listening and are able to use discussion to communicate and further their learning

• Learners develop a passion for and a love of reading.

• Learners are  able to read fluently both for pleasure and to further their learning

• As learners progress through the curriculum they begin to see themselves as authors.