English
Reading:
EYFS:
- Sounds Write phonics taught 5x a week.
- Shared storytime 5x a week.
- ‘Super 6’ - 1 book a week to share, discuss and revisit throughout the term.
- Children take home phonics books based on the spelling they are currently learning in their Sounds Write sessions.
- Children also take home a book for enjoyment to share with their families from the class lending library.
KS1:
- 3 x explicit reading sessions each week.
- 5 x phonics lessons a week (Sounds Write - see Spelling section).
- Children take home phonics books based on the spelling they are currently learning in their Sounds Write sessions.
- Children also take home a book for enjoyment to share with their families from the class lending library.
- Every child reads their phonics book aloud to an adult once a week to assess if they need to move on to the next level.
- Children who have completed the phonics book scheme progress to Free Reader.
- Once a child is a Free Reader, they will take a Scholastic Reading Pro test to assign them an appropriate reading level based on their comprehension.
- Lexile levels range from 50 -1400L and each year group has an expected benchmark.
- Children complete Reading Pro tests 3x a year.
- When a child finishes a book they can complete a quiz using the Reading Pro system. If they achieve 7/10+ they have secure comprehension of the text. They are invited to try again if they score <7.
KS2: 5 x reading sessions each week.
- Children are sent home with a book and a reading record bookmark for the parent to record home reads and communicate with the teacher if necessary.
- 1 x 30 minute individual reading session. The teacher/TA hears a child read their level appropriate/Free Reader book minimum once a short term.
- The lowest attaining 20% of each class are to be read with once a week.
- Children significantly below age-related expectations are assigned a Reading Pal who does an additional 20 minute reading session each week.
- Children have a PM reading book up to Level 30 then become Free Reader.
- Once a child is a Free Reader, they will take a Scholastic Reading Pro test to assign them an appropriate reading level based on their comprehension.
- Teachers can use their discretion when a child reaches PM Level 27+ and test them using the Scholastic Reading Pro system, providing their comprehension is secure.
- Lexile levels range from 50 -1400L and each year group has an expected benchmark (see image below).
- Children complete Reading Pro tests 3x a year.
- When a child finishes a book they can complete a quiz using the Reading Pro system. If they achieve 7/10+ they have secure comprehension of the text. They are invited to try again if they score <7.
Guided Reading
- Evidence for Guided Reading is found in the children’s Yellow books.
- Every class has a whole-class guided reading book for the term. There is a set of 15 books in each class to support children reading a text 1 between 2. For a list of the reading texts used, please see the ‘Reading texts overview’ in the Curriculum - English folder.
- Children spend 2x sessions reading parts of the text aloud to the class, and answering comprehension questions based on the VIPERS skills (see below).
- 1 session a week focuses on a creative task using the children’s knowledge of their class text, drawing on specific language or details. See shared drive for examples.
- 1 session a week is reading and answering questions about an unseen text. This is entirely separate to the whole-class text; it can be fiction or nonfiction, on any topic of interest, and assesses all of the VIPERS skills.
Assessment: Children will complete the PIRA (reading comprehension) assessment 3x a year from Years 1-5. Year 6 children will complete past SATs papers to assess progress. These will help identify gaps in reading skills.
Writing and Spelling
EYFS:
- Daily phonics sessions following Sounds Write.
KS1:
- Daily 30 minute phonics sessions following Sounds Write.
- 4 x writing lessons per week.
- Children cover a variety of genres throughout the year, including a combination of fiction and non-fiction pieces.
- Work is completed in children’s yellow English books - trying to keep sheets to a minimum where possible.
- Spelling lessons taught through Sounds Write and other patterns are addressed within writing lessons.
- No spellings set for a test, but patterns are sent home with a suggested investigation.
- ‘Bellefield Write’ (assessed piece of writing) completed independently once per term.
- Children have 45 minutes to complete an independent piece of writing, based on learning previously in the week.
- The children may have use of various resources to support them, such as word mats and previous plans.
- Any errors in this piece of work are not corrected afterwards, unlike in other pieces of writing.
- Teachers will choose a ‘Star Writer’ for each Bellefield Write, whose writing will be displayed in the School and they will receive a certificate and prize for their achievements.
- The Star Writer does not need to be the highest ability/ best piece of writing in the class - it will be the children’s best.
KS2:
- 3x writing lessons per week.
- Children cover a variety of genres throughout the year, including a combination of fiction and non-fiction pieces.
- Work is completed in the children’s green English books, including any planning, first drafts and final pieces.
- 1x SPAG lesson per week (minimum 30 minutes).
- Punctuation and grammar lessons aso taught throughout the year within the writing lessons.
- No spellings set for a test, but patterns are sent home with a suggested investigation
- ‘Bellefield Write’ (assessed piece of writing) completed independently once per term. SEE KS1 SECTION FOR MORE DETAILS
Writing skills are developed through scaffolded, modelled lessons culminating once a fortnight in the opportunity to write at length to use skills that have been learnt. There is a whole school approach to handwriting and we expect children to present their work to a high standard as well as developing skills in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Monthly “Bellefield Star Writers” are awarded certificates and pens for outstanding writing.
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