The more that you read,

The more things that you know,

The more that you learn, the more places you'll go! ~ Dr Seuss

English

Throughout Kingston Park English underpins all that we do. We provide a high-quality education in English, creatively teaching our pupils to speak and listen, to read fluently and to write effectively. Therefore, we ensure all children have the tools and ability to communicate their imaginative ideas, thoughts and emotions to others in a creative way.

At Kingston Park there is a strong emphasis on pupils developing a great love of the English language through a creative, innovative English curriculum. Developing a great love of literature, becoming readers for life. After all…

“A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.”

Neil Gaiman

The Teaching of English at Kingston Park Primary School falls into specific interrelated categories.

o    Spoken language - Oracy

o    Reading - word reading and comprehension

o    Spelling - vocabulary, grammar and punctuation

o    Writing – transcription, spelling and handwriting

o    Composition – including the articulation of ideas and structuring them in speech and reading

o    Recommended Reads

Spoken Language – Oracy

Oracy at Kingston Park is underpinned by our Golden Thread of Talk

At Kingston Park we reflect the importance of the spoken word across the whole curriculum. The outstanding quality and variety of language that the children hear underpins the development of reading and writing and is vital for the development of their vocabulary and grammar. Throughout their time at Kingston Park all children across all year groups, are given outstanding opportunities for the development of their spoken language. From the inclusion of ‘Talk for Writing’ throughout the school, to the inclusion of tiered vocabulary to extend and provide subject specific vocabulary and its meaning. From Show and Tell speeches to the immersion in dramatic conventions, to the presentation of research projects, debating and becoming confident actors. From developing their capacity to explain their understanding of books, through guided reading and the sharing of a new exciting author or book, all enabling them to ignite their imaginations.

READING

Throughout the whole school there is a passion and love of books that is developed from the children’s first day in school.

Reading consists of two interlinked dimensions, word reading and comprehension. Throughout Foundation Stage and Key Stage One, skilled word reading is developed through the working out of unfamiliar words and the recognition of familiar printed words. Underpinning both is the understanding that letters represent sounds and this why phonics is taught throughout the school, depending upon the needs of the children. Throughout Foundation Stage and Key Stage One discreet phonics sessions are planned for and taught every day following the Little Wandle phonics scheme.

(For more information on phonics please see the phonics section of our website.)

“You can find magic wherever you look.

Sit back and relax all you need is a book!”

 Dr. Seuss

We believe that reading is a pleasure; therefore, at Kingston Park alongside our Little Wandle group reading we continue to use high quality exciting texts which the children love.  If your child is at the beginning of their reading journey they will use Little Wandle group reading. They will read three times that week with a member of school staff and then bring the book home to share with you. Your child will also bring home a sharing book from the beginning of their reading time in reception and beyond.

The children are assessed every half term to monitor tier reading progress. Once the children have completed Little Wandle Phonics books, they move on to Little Wandle fluency books, which again they will read with a member of school staff, and after they have finished the book they bring it home to share with you. These are longer chapter books and will take approximately two to three weeks to read.

Children are encouraged to bring their book bag, reading journal and book to school every day.  It is important that children practise this essential life skill both at school and home.

In Key Stage Two. Your child may continue with Little Wandle Fluency until they are ready for guided reading through the reciprocal reading approach. They will share a book one to one with their class teacher or take part in guided or reciprocal reading groups. These groups aim to ensure your children completely know and understand what they are reading. They have an opportunity to discuss the book, asking and answering questions appropriately, clarifying and explaining, giving opinions and developing their vocabulary.

Your child is never without a book.  Our well stocked libraries and classrooms are full of the finest children’s literature from which your child can choose their own book to take home and share.

From the moment you step through our doors you and your child will be immersed in a love of literature and good books. We actively promote a love of reading, and we do that in a variety of ways.

Storytime: Everyday, at the end of the day, the whole school enjoys Storytime. A time where teachers can be together with their classes and share fantastic, exciting literature with your children. The children sometimes bring in their own books to share and sometimes we choose from our class boxes of literature. We read a range of classic texts, traditional tales, new authors and regular favourites.  Each day our expert teachers and teaching assistants bring to life a story for your child.

Vocabulary: We believe words are very important and our classrooms display a wealth of vocabulary discovered by your children. Vocabulary is constantly discussed through the Talk for Writing approach and through our knowledge organisers and understanding of tired vocabulary. In key stage one the children make collections of words and sometimes achieve the Word of the Week award for discovering a new word and its meaning or improving an overused word. Key Stage Two children make collections of words in their Magpie books and through exploration during Talk for Writing. 

Reading Corner: In each classroom there is an area dedicated to amazing literature, a place where children can read, share, discover facts and laugh out loud.

Library: Nestled at the heart of our main school building you will find our library. A centre for great books where you find children discovering the awe and wonder of a good book.  Our Early Years building also has their own library which they access on a weekly basis.

Parent Workshops: We hold regular parent workshops to share and explore stories, as well as helping and supporting parents to understand the development of reading and different reading strategies.

World Book Day: Each year we celebrate books. We dress up as our favourite book characters and hold a book swap and raise money for books for our library. Great fun is had by all. Each year on World Book Day we hold a book fayre run by Mrs. MacDonald and Usborne books. All children get the chance to hear a story, browse the books and order one at the end the end of the day with their parents.

Reading Buddies: Our Year Six Reading Buddies support some of our younger children encouraging them to develop a love of reading. At certain points on the day you can see gatherings of children in the library where Year Six children are fabulous role models helping and supporting younger children with their reading and promoting the love of reading.

Reading Journals: Our reading journals form a line of communication between home and school, parent and teacher and are very important to us. Your child will regularly change their reading book and read with their class teacher. They may read one to one or within a group. You class teacher will comment through a written message in your child’s reading when they hear them read. These messages will let you know how your children are progressing and how they can be helped and supported at home. We do love to know how they are doing at home, so we encourage parents, and children of Key Stage Two to write a comment in the book too.

Comprehension

Good comprehension draws from linguistic knowledge and on knowledge of the world. Comprehension skills develop through pupils’ experience of high-quality discussion with the teacher as well as from reading and discussion a range of stories, poems and non-fiction. All pupils are encouraged to read widely across all genres  to establish an appreciation and love of reading, and all children are encouraged to read widely to develop their knowledge of themselves and the world in which they live. Throughout our school we use Cracking Comprehension. These sessions enable your child to read and discuss at length good quality texts, both modern and classic. The first week develops their oracy skills and is based on speaking and listening, reading and discussing texts, highlighting and retrieving relevant points in the text. The next week in developing their ability to read and write answers correctly and succinctly

Enjoyment: Our aim is that children become readers for life. They are able to read with confidence, fluency and understanding, and for a variety of purposes - not least of which is enjoyment. We firmly believe that reading feeds the imagination and opens up a treasure trove of wonder and joy for curious minds.

Come on in! At any time, you will be welcome in our school to come and share stories with your children.

Writing

At Kingston Park writing is very important to us and the creative process of writing is nurtured and developed from Nursery to Year Six, through visiting authors, published books and a love of words and stories. After all…

“Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.”

Albus Dumbledore

Composition

At Kingston Park children are taught to write through the process of Talk for Writing. It enables children to read and analyise different books, stories poems or genres of writing. They then orally imitate through text mapping and actions the language they need for a particular topic.  They then innovate this and write their own version. A process of imitating, innovating then independent application. This method provides us with children who have a love and passion for creating and writing, which culminates in book making, and writing where they are the authors and illustrators of their own unique work.

For more information visit:

https://www.talk4writing.com/about/

Spelling, Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation

Children are taught to effectively transcribe through being able to spell accurately, knowing the relationship between letters and sounds. Effective composition involves articulating and communicating ideas and the organising them coherently for the reader. This requires clarity, awareness of the audience, purpose and context, and an increasing wide knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. As vocabulary increases teachers show children how to develop their understanding of, and ability to use figurative language. They are taught to use all the elements of spelling, punctuation and grammar from the national curriculum in a creative and exciting way. You can view a copy of the English National Curriculum here: English National Curriculum

No Nonsense Spelling

To enable your children to deepen and understand the complexities of the English language we follow the No Nonsense Spelling scheme. Each week your children are taught a specific spelling rule which they practise in their spelling journals or practically in the classroom. These spellings and rules are sent home on a half termly basis on Seesaw for them to practise and the children’s ability to apply these are checked on Friday. We realise that all children learn differently and therefore the strategies to learn spellings and rules will reflect this. Children and families are encouraged to support each other and work together to learn the sounds and spelling rules sent home.

Rewards for Outstanding English Work

We have several reward systems in place in school and awards that can be given for a range of reasons. Specifically, in Key Stage One, there is a weekly ‘Writer of the Week’ award and ‘Word of the Week’ award in every class. These awards are chosen and given by the class teacher to a pupil who they think have produced great work, showed good understanding or quite simply tried their best. Additionally, those children who have impressed staff with a specific task can receive a Show and Tell award presented weekly during our Show and Tell celebrations. Equally, they may be given house points, or, for very special work, they may be given a Headteacher’s award. Sometimes children show their work to Mrs. Thomson, our English coordinator who presents them with a very rare ‘Gold certificate.’

Handwriting

Throughout Foundation Stage children are taught to hold their pencil correctly and form letters correctly. Experimenting with mark making in many sensory ways.

From Key Stage One children are taught to use a pre cursive script using Letter Join. Once their writing is fluent and cursive in Key Stage Two they will be presented with their own pen and pen licence during the Show and Tell award ceremony.