English
BackEnglish at Oakview
At Oakview Primary School, we believe that English is at the heart of learning. We want every child to become a confident reader, writer and communicator who develops a lifelong love of language and literature.
Our English curriculum follows the expectations of the National Curriculum 2014 and is designed to provide children with rich, engaging and diverse experiences of reading, writing and spoken language. We place high-quality texts at the centre of our curriculum, ensuring that children encounter a wide range of authors, genres, themes, characters and perspectives.
We aim for all children to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to communicate effectively, while ensuring that barriers to learning are identified and addressed so that every child can participate and succeed.
Reading and Phonics
Our reading journey begins in Reception with Read Write Inc. (RWI) Phonics. Children are taught the sounds they need to decode words and develop their reading fluency and comprehension. RWI is delivered systematically from Reception through Year 2, with appropriate support and intervention continuing beyond this where needed.
Alongside phonics, children develop a love of books through regular opportunities to listen to and enjoy high-quality literature. We believe that reading for pleasure is an important part of becoming a successful reader.
From Key Stage 2, children continue to develop their reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and reading stamina. Reading Leaves are used to support whole-class reading, providing children with opportunities to explore rich texts and develop their comprehension skills. Children are encouraged to read independently and to develop prosody – reading with appropriate pace, expression, phrasing and intonation.
Children also use Accelerated Reader to support independent reading. This enables children to select books at an appropriate level of challenge, quiz regularly on their reading and develop their reading habits and confidence over time.
Our school library plays an important role in developing a love of reading. Classes visit the library regularly and children have the opportunity to borrow books each week. We encourage children to explore different authors, genres and types of books and to make choices based on their own interests.
Literacy Tree – Our Writing Framework
Our writing curriculum is based around Literacy Tree, a whole-school, book-based writing framework with high-quality and diverse children's literature at its heart.
Children are immersed in a carefully selected text and use it as a springboard for reading, discussion, vocabulary development, grammar and writing. Each writing unit provides opportunities for children to write for a range of audiences and purposes, leading to a meaningful final writing outcome.
Literature provides opportunities for children to see their own lives and experiences reflected in the books they read, while also developing their understanding of the experiences and perspectives of others.
Each Literacy Tree writing root lasts approximately three weeks. Units begin with an engaging discovery point, designed to spark curiosity and immerse children in the text. Children explore literary language, develop vocabulary and encounter different forms and purposes of writing.
Reading comprehension is embedded throughout the writing process through activities such as prediction, inference, discussion and close exploration of the text. Grammar and punctuation are taught in context and applied purposefully within children's writing.
Children have opportunities to produce both shorter pieces of writing and longer, sustained pieces, with units culminating in a final published outcome.
Spelling
Spelling is taught systematically across the school using Spelling Seeds. Children learn and practise spelling patterns, rules and vocabulary appropriate to their year group.
Spelling is reinforced through regular classroom practice and weekly spelling homework, helping children to consolidate their learning and develop increasingly accurate spelling in their independent writing.
Vocabulary development is also an important part of our English curriculum. Children are encouraged to encounter, discuss and use ambitious vocabulary across their reading and writing.
Handwriting
We want children to develop handwriting that is fluent, legible and increasingly joined.
Handwriting is taught explicitly through focused teaching three times each week, with additional opportunities for practice where needed. Teachers model letter formation, joins, posture and presentation, and children are encouraged to take pride in the presentation of their work.
Handwriting skills are reinforced across the curriculum so that children increasingly apply them independently in their everyday writing.
Spoken Language
Developing confident speakers and listeners is a key part of English at Oakview.
Children are given regular opportunities to talk, listen, discuss, explain, debate, perform and present. We recognise that high-quality talk supports children's vocabulary, comprehension, reasoning and writing.
Through partner talk, group discussion, drama and whole-class discussion, children learn to articulate their ideas clearly, listen respectfully to others and adapt their language for different audiences and purposes.
Our Aim
Our aim is for every child at Oakview to leave primary school as a confident reader, thoughtful writer and effective communicator.
We want children to:
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develop a genuine love of reading and literature
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read fluently, confidently and with expression
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understand, discuss and respond to what they read
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develop a rich and ambitious vocabulary
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write clearly for a range of audiences and purposes
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apply spelling, grammar, punctuation and handwriting skills accurately
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speak confidently and listen thoughtfully to others
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see themselves and the wider world reflected in the books they read
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develop the confidence and independence to express their ideas creatively and effectively.
How RWI meets the National CurriculmParent VIdeo Introduction
RWI Curriculum Matching Year 1Parents FAQs