Intent

Reading and Writing is a fundamental part of our curriculum at Woodlea, we intend our children to develop a love of reading and writing and to be able to express themselves creatively through writing. We believe our children take pride in their work and we have set high expectations for them to follow in all aspects of writing whether in English lessons or other curriculum subjects. As an Outdoor Learning school, we provide opportunities to take our learning outside as much as possible, which enables children’s imagination and creativity to flourish.

Implementation

• Children participate in high-quality English lessons that encompass a range of skills from the national curriculum.
• Daily phonics sessions are taught daily in KS1 and delivered as interventions for those children in KS2 who need it.
• Children take part in daily guided reading lessons where they are exposed to a range of different high quality texts, and can demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through comprehension, inference, themes and conventions, language for effect and word reading.
• At Woodlea we have a fantastic library with a wide variety of fiction and non fiction books. We also subscribe to the Hampshire School Library Service where we can request books linked to each classes topics and interests. Each class also has a small library in their book corner which is a warm an inviting space for the children to come and choose to read with their friends.
• Teachers also have a set ‘Story Time’ everyday where they read a book to their class as a group to encourage a love for reading.
• Teachers use HIAS medium term plans to ensure all objectives from the national curriculum are taught. Using the HIAD medium term plans means that children are given regular writing opportunities to write for a range of purposes, audiences, forms and viewpoints.
• Teachers use a variety of teaching methods to ensure that lessons are engaging and impactful for all
• The school adopts an ‘Outdoor learning’ ethos through active learning and through F.O.X time (Fabulous Outdoor Explorers) which encourages the children’s engagement and curiosity in the world around them, teachers provide plenty of opportunities where appropriate to take learning outside.
• Teachers use daily assessment to gauge children’s understanding in order to plan for next steps, which are differentiated for all children to achieve their learning targets.

Impact

By the time the children leave Woodlea they are competent readers who are able to discuss and recommend books their have read with their friends, in a wide variety of genres as well as for research purposes. They will also be able to write clearly and effectively for a range of purposes and audiences. English is monitored by the subject leader throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies such as, lesson observations, planning scrutiny, book looks, staff discussions and pupil interviews. Feedback is given to teachers and leaders use the information to see if the children know more and remember more. Outcomes of work in both literacy and topic books evidence the high quality of work and the impact of varied and cross-curricular writing opportunities. These enable children to write across a range of forms and adapt their writing successfully, considering the purpose.