Our intention is to expose and encourage children to read a variety of texts through our core reading scheme of carefully curated literature, which will provide not only entertainment but also challenge. Every year group teaches reading throughout the week across the Curriculum and discretely, to teach children the necessary skills to both ‘word read’ and ‘comprehend’.  We aim to ensure that all pupils are able to read fluently, with confidence, are able to retrieve, explain and infer in any subject, in order that they are equipped for their forthcoming secondary education. A wide variety of reading genres are covered to enable children to appreciate fiction and non-fiction works, poetry, adventure stories, newspaper reports and classics through Talk for Writing Reading Spines and Spine Poetry.

In EYFS and Key Stage 1, phonics is taught daily to enhance skills in reading.  This is regularly assessed by teachers in order to meet the emerging needs of children. 

Using Talk for Writing principles, we will scaffold children's learning through a consistent structured approach throughout the school where vocabulary, grammar and genres are learnt robustly; this is achieved by going through the three phases of imitation, innovation and independent application.  Independent application provides opportunity for true independent writing and allow children to develop their creativity.  As part of the structured phases, we will ensure opportunities for drama as this immerses a child within a text and deepens their understanding. It also complements our goal of developing confidence in children by giving them a chance to perform in front of their peers.

Presentation and handwriting has a strong emphasis in school.  Children are encouraged to develop their own unique style of handwriting whilst working to the parameters of the cursive handwriting scheme, Letterjoin, in order to ensure that writing styles are fluent and legible.

Children are encouraged to express themselves imaginatively, creatively and effectively, enabling them to use language to communicate ideas and enrich their learning across the curriculum.  Children also enjoy and are exposed to many other opportunities to further oral skills: debating throughout the curriculum; modelling of well-constructed texts; speaking opportunities, using vocabulary in context; such as acting in class assemblies, plays and our Enterprise Week's  'Dragon's Den!'