The Teaching of English

Reading

At Park Hall Academy, reading is at the heart of all we do. We strongly believe that reading is a gateway that makes all other learning possible. We are determined for all learners to develop a lifelong love of reading as they embark on their learning journey through our cohesive curriculum of engaging and stimulating class texts which interest and inspire our readers. Learners will be fully immersed in a language rich curriculum through high quality texts where they develop their reading skills to become fluent readers. Learners will share a passion for reading and will develop their confidence to explore their imaginations. As we immerse learners through high quality texts, we intend on raising readers that that are future leaders.

Intent

We aim for:
All learners to have good phonetic awareness of reading by segmenting and blending sounds which will enable them to become fluent and confident readers.
Solid foundations in speaking & listening, phonological awareness, reading and writing experiences in our early years to lay fundamental foundations for future reading success.
Reading to ignite our love of learning.
Learners to have a love and passion for reading and to read for pleasure as they engage in a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Learners to be fully immersed in engaging texts through modelled, shared and guided reading.
High quality teaching to enable all learners to develop a solid understanding of the reading domains and how the skills of reading can be used to understand what has been read.
Learners to become fluent readers who enjoy reading aloud with confidence.
Learners to be excited to choose their next reading journey as they delve into inspiring texts from our high quality, inviting class libraries.
Learners who celebrate their successes of reading as they are inspired by a range of authors.

 

At Park Hall Academy, reading is at the heart of all we do. We strongly believe that reading is a gateway that makes all other learning possible. 'Every Child A Reader' is a cornerstone of our curriculum and is one essential component within our curriculum 'Big Ideas.  We are determined to develop a lifelong love of reading as learners embark on their learning journey through our cohesive curriculum of engaging and stimulating class texts which interest and inspire our readers. Learners will be fully immersed in a language rich curriculum through high quality texts where they develop their reading skills to become fluent readers. Learners will share a passion for reading and will develop their confidence to explore their imaginations. As we immerse children through high quality texts, we intend on raising readers that that are future leaders.We have the highest aspirations for all of our learners and aim to develop a love of reading for all. We ensure that our learners are introduced to the pleasures of reading, believing that “Reading is dreaming with open eyes”. 

Our beginner readers are taught systematic, daily phonics skills and knowledge through the delivery of the FFT 'Success For All Phonics' programme. Alongside the daily phonics lessons, children engage in daily reading of 'shared reader' texts (Upper Foundation - Year 1). These texts are based on the phonemes taught so far to consolidate learning, allowing learners to apply their knowledge. (See phonics tab for further information on the teaching of phonics).

Speaking and Listening 

Our curriculum reflects the importance we place upon children developing their speaking and listening skills. Our environments are stimulating and language rich. Visitors to our academy are always impressed by the confident way in which our children are happy to converse. We develop children’s ability to listen attentively and use expressive language. Children are given many opportunities to practice and develop their speaking and listening skills through our exciting and creative curriculum. Children engage in drama, performance, role play and debates and love to use our green screen technology to bring their learning to life. Talk for Writing is used throughout the Early Years and Key Stage 1. As a result, our children become confident storytellers and young writers.

 

Writing

At Park Hall we have a vision to promote a lifelong love of reading and language through the immersion of interesting and engaging texts that will inspire our children to write. Children will delve into exciting texts which will transport them to exciting places, allowing them to develop their knowledge of the world around them.Children will share a passion for writing and will develop their confidence to explore their imaginations, word choice and styles of writing to be creators of their own masterpieces. Children will be confident speakers, listeners, readers and writers and will have opportunities to develop these skills in every subject. Children will produce writing that they feel proud of to read aloud and will bring their writing to life as they deliver oscar winning performances, through the use of enhancing technology, that they know others will enjoy.

Intent for our Writers:

We aim for:
Learners to be exposed to high quality texts that inspire them to become authors themselves.
Learners to confidently share and perform their writing, bringing it to life through the use of enhancing technologies.
Learners to write with increased stamina as they 'think through their fingers'.
Learners to have and use extensive and ambitious vocabulary in their writing through a range of genres.
Learners to use high quality models and texts to form a basis for their written work. Learners to write independently for a range of audiences and purposes.
Learners to act upon feedback to enable them to improve their writing through the writing process. Writing drafts will be edited and upstaged through self/ peer editing and discussions.
Learners to develop essential skills in grammar, spelling and punctuation to ensure that they are conveying  meaning clearly in writing.
Learners to maintain a consistent approach to their writing, having the highest expectations of perfect presentation as they write cursively.

 

 

Writing 

At Park Hall we have a vision to promote a lifelong love of reading and language through the immersion of interesting and engaging texts that will inspire our children to write. Children will delve into exciting texts which will transport them to exciting places, allowing them to develop their knowledge of the world around them.Children will share a passion for writing and will develop their confidence to explore their imaginations, word choice and styles of writing to be creators of their own masterpieces. Children will be confident speakers, listeners, readers and writers and will have opportunities to develop these skills in every subject. Children will produce writing that they feel proud of to read aloud and will bring their writing to life as they deliver oscar winning performances, through the use of enhancing technology, that they know others will enjoy. Children develop an early love of writing through fun, exciting and multi-sensory opportunities to develop their pre writing skills, such as dough disco, write dance and funky fingers.

We teach children to use the cursive handwriting script. This enables children to write fluently and helps children to further develop their understanding of spelling patterns. Children are encouraged to ensure that they strive for “perfect presentation” to demonstrate the fact they are an “Expert Learner”. They are keen to earn their pen licence and proudly receive these during our celebration assemblies.

We place great importance on developing every child’s literacy skills as these provide firm foundations for learning and ultimately enable each child to be successful in their learning journey.

 

Our values are at the heart of everything we do