English

At Surfleet Primary School, we are passionate about ensuring all children become confident and enthusiastic readers and writers. We believe that Little Wandle Phonics provides the foundations of learning to make the development into fluent reading and writing easier. Children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. Through Little Wandle Phonics children learn a simple alphabetic code followed by a more complex code. All reading books progress cumulatively, matched to the sound’s children are learning and already know. 

Our vision for writing ~ context, creative, coherent

Context

Pupils enjoy writing a range of text types for real life audiences and purposes.

Creative

Pupils, as authors, take inspiration from what they have read and what they have experienced, using language to create pieces that readers enjoy.

Coherent

Through a progressive sequence of teaching, pupils acquire the knowledge of sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and spelling so that they can write with cohesion, checking their work as editors.

At Surfleet Primary School, oracy plays a prominent role in teaching and learning. The ability to listen actively, speak clearly and communicate articulately is seen as a fundamental part of the learning process. Critically, oracy underpins the development of reading and writing, and supports progress in all subjects.

We believe that developing oracy provides our pupils with vital life skills. We aim to encourage fluent speakers, who are confident to communicate, debate and present in a wide range of situations.

Oracy is embedded throughout our broad and balanced curriculum.  Lessons are talk-rich, and questions are carefully planned to ensure all children can fully participate. Pupils participate in a wide range of oracy activities which help them to develop confidence in spoken language, within the curriculum, in extra-curricular activities and playtimes.

Some examples are:

• Partner talk
• Group discussion
• Collaborative work and problem solving
• Debate
• Role play
• Drama
• Presentations

There are opportunities for pupils to develop their oracy skills outside of the curriculum, through pupil voice groups, the School Council, productions, assemblies, and participation in local events.

At Surfleet Primary School, pupils in EYFS and KS1 are taught to spell as part of the Little Wandle Phonics programme.

Pupils in Year 2 - 6 who have completed the Little Wandle Phonics programme, are taught the Active Spelling programme. Spelling is taught cumulatively and systematically, with deliberate, focused practice. The programme builds upon teaching strategies and spelling activities that are similar in approach to that of the Little Wandle Phonics programme. Spelling is delivered daily, alongside writing practice.

At Surfleet Primary School, our aim is for all children to develop a fluent, confident handwriting style. Handwriting is a key literacy component that is taught actively.  Children's gross and fine motor skills develop at different rates and they will learn to form letters in a consistent way at their own speed.

Once children have learned how to form the individual letters correctly and consistently, they then learn to join the letters and develop a neat and legible handwriting style.