English/Literacy

At Cherry Fields Primary School we use the National Curriculum as a basis for our planning within the subject and expect all teachers to follow this principle. Literacy is taught on a daily basis from EYFS to KS1 based on a central high-quality text and supported and enhanced through our topic curriculum areas.  
 
In the Foundation Stage, Literacy forms the basis of one of the areas of learning – communication, understanding and reading. Emphasis is on teaching Literacy through stories and books; through topic links; child initiated learning through play, plus adult intervention; and demonstration and use of language. In KS1 to KS2 teaching and learning usually takes place within a whole class. Good practice in reading and writing is shared and modelled in whole class teaching.  Teachers use a variety of interactive teaching methods to deliver an engaging curriculum and achieve learning objectives.  
 
Our teaching and learning approach across the whole curriculum is based on the Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) developed by Sweller (1988). Within English lessons, we are teaching all children to have a deep and secure understanding of the concepts that they are being taught. In order to do this, our curriculum is designed to reduce cognitive load by ensuring we structure and design lessons in small coherent steps, which organically allows opportunity for the promotion of retention. This allows for an inclusive learning environment where all children are supported to transfer learning from short-term to long-term memory.   
 
Intent:

• To provide a language rich environment that promotes a culture of communication, reading and writing;  
• To develop in pupils an interest in and a love of books and literature that will not only support their learning across the curriculum but also enrich their lives;  
• To value and use books as a basis for learning, pleasure, talk and play;
• To teach children the craft of writing, including handwriting,  in order to develop in children the confidence and skills to write well for a range of purposes and audience;
• To teach the basics – spelling, handwriting, grammar  and punctuation – to ensure accuracy within creativity;
• To foster in pupils the confidence, desire and ability to express their views and opinions both orally and in writing;
• To raise the standards of communication, reading and writing so that every child makes best progress;
• To value and celebrate diversity in culture and language.

National Curriculum English Programme of Study