Our Vision for English
“English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others, and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society; pupils who do not learn to speak, read and write fluently and confidently are effectively disenfranchised.” National Curriculum 2014
At our school we aim to ensure all pupils:
- leave St Mary’s with a love of reading, for fun and for learning
- can read (decode and recognise unfamiliar words) at a good speed
- have good comprehension
- have access to high quality texts from a range of genres, that are rich, engaging and varied
- can spell proficiently to enable effective communication through writing
- build their knowledge about the world and across the curriculum through English
- acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
- write confidently, clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
- enjoy writing for pleasure
- are effective and confident when speaking and listening and con demonstrate this in a range of ways e.g. discussions, debating, presentations and in social situations