Literacy
The English Curriculum
At Tiverton Academy we recognise that literacy skills are fundamental to life, enabling children to communicate confidently, effectively and successfully. We want to ensure our children are able to listen, speak, read and write for a range of purposes. We aim to deliver a high-quality English curriculum where children first and foremost enjoy English language and literature and are able to use and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills they have acquired in a range of enjoyable and purposeful contexts.
We strive to give the children the best possible opportunities to express themselves clearly and creatively in both spoken and written form and become masters of language within a broad, balanced and exciting curriculum, preparing them for this ever-changing and developing world. As a staff we actively keep up to date with children’s literature (e.g., award-winning books, new and contemporary authors, poets and illustrators, up-to-date topics and themes as well as the classics) so that we can offer children a wide variety of high-quality texts, to read and study, from a range of genres to ensure a love of reading is promoted throughout the school.
Every effort is made to provide opportunities for children to consolidate and reinforce taught English skills across the curriculum. Where possible we link learning in other curriculum areas to the quality texts being studied in English, providing memorable experiences in order to further develop new interests, knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts.
The needs of all children are considered carefully when planning and teaching English. We want all children to reach their full potential and develop life-long skills. Staff take into account the differing needs of children in their class, so lessons are inclusive. Where necessary, teachers plan, vary and adapt English lessons to meet the needs of all learners. We recognise that each child has their own starting point upon entry to every year group and progress is measured in line with these starting points to ensure every child can celebrate success.
‘English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others, and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society.’
English Programmes of Study: Key Stages 1 and 2 National Curriculum in England, DfE (2014)
Reading For Pleasure
We are committed to successfully developing a reading culture encompassing a genuine love of reading which is firmly embedded and embraced throughout the whole school. We want children and staff to become life-long readers together who actively read for pleasure and information. Staff are encouraged to share their own reading preferences and invite the children to recognise and share their own. Staff are then able to support children to make informed choices about the books that they choose to read. By celebrating and encouraging reading together we can inspire children to become self-motivated, engaged readers who enjoy reading for pleasure both in school and at home. We fully recognise the value of parents / carers as essential components to supporting and developing reading skills and a love of reading.
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