English

We focus on a different quality text each half term and take children on trips to bring the topics they are reading and writing about to life. Using assessments provided by pupils’ mainstream schools, we teach sharply focused lessons which move children on rapidly.

Reading

A love of reading is encouraged in all our work. We use The Five Minute Box multi-sensory programmes to develop children’s phonics and high frequency word reading skills, and every pupil reads a book matched to their reading level with an adult in every session. This helps develop children’s confidence in reading aloud, enhances their comprehension skills and extends their vocabulary knowledge. Pupils also have a guided reading session each week in order to be led through a variety of fiction and non-fiction text types during their time with us.

Writing

We follow the Pie Corbett Talk for Writing approach, where children learn a text through regular repetition before developing it into a piece of their own writing.  Teacher modelling of writing is used to show pupils the skills and processes essential to effective writing, and key vocabulary for a topic is shared and displayed so that the pupils have the tools to hand to be successful and confident writers.

Spoken language 

Through all our work we give children time to think, speak and listen to one another. We model clear Standard English and support pupils to phrase and re-phrase their thoughts and views and to present their ideas fluently using an increasingly wide vocabulary. We use a wide variety of strategies to give every child a voice, and in our weekly class meetings children think and talk together about local, national and global issues. Developing and practising these skills in our small group setting enables children to build the confidence to have their voices heard at school and in the wider world.

How can I help my child with reading?

Please click here for information on reading with your child at home