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Headteacher: Miss Sarah Vittle

Oliver's Battery Primary and Nursery School

Creative, Caring, Confident Learners for Life

"Pupils like attending this school because everyone is so caring" - Ofsted, October 2019

English

Welcome to the English section of our school website.

English at Oliver’s Battery Primary School is taught through daily lessons of English and/or Guided Reading. We also follow the “No Nonsense Spelling” programme in Year Group’s 1-6.

Reading Policy

Jargon Buster

Language and literacy

We will develop children’s reading and writing in all subjects to support their acquisition of knowledge. Children will be taught to read fluently, understand extend prose (both fiction and non-fiction) and will be encouraged to read for pleasure. To support children’s progression in reading, Key Stage 1 follow the Oxford reading tree scheme. We will do everything to promote wider reading. We will provide library facilities and encourage reading at home.

Spoken language

Children will be taught to speak clearly and convey ideas confidently using Standard English. They will learn to justify ideas with reasons; ask questions to check understanding; develop vocabulary and build knowledge; negotiate; evaluate and build on the ideas of others; and select the appropriate register for effective communication. They will be taught to give well-structured descriptions and explanations and develop their understanding through exploring ideas. This will enable them to clarify their thinking as well as organise their ideas for writing.

Reading

We will develop children’s reading and writing in all subjects to support their acquisition of knowledge. Children will be taught to read fluently, understand extend prose (both fiction and non-fiction) and will be encouraged to read for pleasure. To support children’s progression in reading, key Stage 1 follow the Oxford reading tree scheme. We will do everything to promote wider reading. We will provide library facilities and encourage reading at home.

Learning to Read

Sound Mats - Phase 2, 3 & 5

Common Exception Words - Year 1 & 2

Sound Buttons Video

Writing

Children will develop the stamina and skills to write at length, with accurate spelling and punctuation. They will be taught the correct use of grammar. They will build on what they have been taught to expand the range of their writing and the variety of the grammar they use. The writing they do will include narratives, explanations, descriptions, comparisons, summaries and evaluations: such writing supports them in rehearsing, understanding and consolidating what they have heard or read.

Vocabulary development

Children’s command of vocabulary is key to their learning and progress across the whole curriculum. Teachers will therefore develop vocabulary actively, building systematically on children’s current knowledge. They will increase pupils’ store of words in general; simultaneously, they should also make links between known and new vocabulary and discuss the shades of meaning in similar words. In this way, children will expand the vocabulary choices that are available to them when they write. It is particularly important to introduce children into the language which defines each subject in its own right, such as accurate mathematical and scientific language.

Phonics and spellings

At Oliver’s Battery we follow the Little Wandle phonics scheme. Children are taught phonics daily throughout EYFS, Year 1 and 2. During Year 2, once the phonic knowledge is secure, children begin to learn spellings in line with the rest of Key Stage 2. Key Stage 2 use the No Nonsense spelling programme.

Please see the links below for useful documents supporting the teaching of English: