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.