Bellefield CofE Primary & Nursery School

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.