Computing
English
Please find our full literacy policy by clicking here
At School
At Sun Hill, we follow the National Curriculum programme of study, a copy of which can be found here
Staff use progression of skills documents, which we have developed alongside the National Curriculum statements, to plan their English lessons. Please click on the highlighted sections: READING AND WRITING PROGRESSION OF SKILL DOCUMENTS
In studying English, pupils develop skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing that they will need to participate in society and employment. Pupils learn to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others confidently and effectively.
Literature in English is rich and influential. It reflects the experiences of people from many countries and times and contributes to our sense of cultural identity. Pupils learn to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama as well as non-fiction and media texts, gaining access to the pleasure and world of knowledge that reading offers.
Looking at sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and spelling helps pupils understand how language works. Using this understanding, pupils can choose and adapt what they say and write in different situations, as well as appreciate and interpret the choices made by other writers. Our long term overview for spelling can be found here:
There are a number of key concepts used at Sun Hill Juniors that underpin the study of English. These essential concepts are taught with topic themed lessons and extended writing. These concepts promote pupils’ progress in speaking and listening, reading and writing.
Competence
Competence in reading, writing and speaking and listening enables pupils to be successful and engage with the world beyond the classroom.
Creativity
Pupils show creativity when they make unexpected connections, use striking and original phrases, approach tasks from a variety of starting points, or change forms to surprise and engage the reader. The pupils are provided with purposeful opportunities to experiment, build on their ideas and follow their own interests. Topic and theme led lessons allow the children to explore a range of texts and write creatively and purposefully in a variety of contexts.
Cultural understanding
Pupils compare texts from different cultures and traditions. Comparing texts helps pupils to explore ideas and engage with new ways in which culture develops.
Critical understanding
Pupils develop a critical understanding when they examine uses of language and forms of media and communication, including literary texts, information texts and the spoken word. Consequently, the pupils are given frequent projects where they critically analyse a text and write persuasively.
At Home
Take opportunities to take books out from the local library as well as our own library. Explore a variety of genres and text types.
Play spelling games, put post-it notes on objects around the house that your child finds tricky to spell.
Perhaps you could even create a treasure hunt where your child has to read riddles and solve problems to get to their prize.
We encourage all children to read daily at home as well as in School. Test your children on their understanding and comprehension of what they have just read. Can they answer simple retrieval based questions? Can they put themselves in the role of a character in the book? Can they talk about the techniques that the author has used to engage the reader?
A recommended reading list for Years 3-6 can be found here:
