English Intent

At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we provide all children with access to a broad and balanced English curriculum which is interesting, engaging and delivers a range of differentiated learning opportunities and challenges, which will develop a life-long love of learning. We recognise children’s prior learning, encourage the children to develop interpersonal skills, build resilience and become creative, critical thinkers. Children are supported to achieve their potential and progress with confidence to the next phase of their education.

We provide a rigorous and well-organised English curriculum that provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion. We believe that children need to develop a secure technical knowledge-base in English, which follows a clear pathway of progression as they advance. We know that a secure basis in literacy skills is crucial to a high-quality education and will give our children the tools they need to participate fully as a member of society.

Phonics is taught across YR, Y1 and, where required, Y2 each morning using the Little Wandle, Letters and sounds revised scheme. Little Wandle is a government approved SSP and by using it we ensure our children have access to daily, high quality phonics teaching.  The scheme is organized into 5 Phases and each class teaches the relevant elements according to need, rather than age. By the end of Phase 5 a pupil is ready to pass the national Phonic Screening. Reading is a major focus within St Joseph’s, and books are sent home from as early as YR. Alongside phonics, children are taught the High Frequency Words and the Common Exception Words that are not decodable.  Children following the Little Wandle programme take part in 3 group reading practice sessions per week to apply their phonics skills to quality texts.

Within KS2, the teaching of reading and spelling develops further using “The Spelling Book “ developed by Jane Constantine and through daily whole class reading sessions.  We are fortunate to have well-trained volunteers who provide our children with extra support with reading progress within both Key Stages. We have developed a school reading spine to ensure our reading offer covers a wide variety of genres and authors. 

By the end of their time at St Joseph’s we expect our children to:

• Read easily, fluently and with good understanding
• Develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
• Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
• Appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
• Write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
• Use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
• Are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, make formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate

Here at St Joseph’s our intent is to have a community of enthusiastic readers and writers who enjoy showcasing their developing literacy knowledge and skills. To develop reader who are confident to take risks in their reading and writing, and love to discuss and share their ideas.