English

Writing

At North Borough Junior School we believe that all children should be able to confidently communicate their knowledge, ideas, understanding and emotions through their writing. We want children to develop and use a wide vocabulary, a solid understanding of grammar and be able to spell new words by effectively applying the spelling patterns and rules they learn throughout their time with us. We want them to write fluently, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences. We believe that all children should be encouraged to take pride in the presentation of their writing, developing a clear, joined, handwriting style by the time they move to secondary school. We know that all good writers refine and edit their writing over time, so we want children to develop independence in being able to identify their own areas for improvement in all pieces of writing, editing their work effectively during and after the writing process.

Teachers achieve this by selecting a wide range of quality texts, including poetry, novels, plays and non-fiction. This may be linked to topics studied in class to enrich understanding and enjoyment. Texts are carefully scrutinised and evaluated, making full use of newer as well as classic literature. Teachers plan their writing activities with care, including specific skills sessions alongside spelling and creative writing tasks. Every aspect of the writing process, from planning, through writing, to editing, is modelled by the adults in the classroom to enable every learner to develop their skills in this area.

Grammar is taught both discretely and incidentally as a part of every writing session, developing the children’s understanding of terminology, correct use and how it has an impact on a piece of writing. Teachers do not put any limitations on what children can achieve in writing and expect every child to be able to make progress, no matter what their starting point is.

We understand the importance of parents and carers in supporting their children to develop both grammar, spelling and composition skills and encourage this through a home-school partnership to help parents and carers to understand how to enhance the skills being taught in school.

Mrs Worrall  (Writing Subject Leader)

Writing Skills Progression Document

Reading and Phonics

At North Borough Junior School, we believe that a rich English curriculum should motivate our pupils to become life-long readers: embracing reading for pleasure; experimenting with ambitious vocabulary; and writing for a variety of purposes. This is nurtured through the children designing and creating their own reading incentive programme ‘Book Busters’ which rewards children for reading as often as they can. Our overarching aspiration is to ensure every child leaves us as a confident reader and is prepared for secondary education.

Teachers work hard to plan and use a wide variety of high quality picture books, novels and poems which are language rich and interesting the children. Our aim is to inspire our pupils through exciting texts which spark their interests and encourage them to ask questions to gain further meaning. Where possible this links to the topic in curriculum or science to help the children develop a deeper understanding of what they are learning. Teachers are not afraid to adapt the Reading curriculum to engage our diverse groups of pupils, modelling that different children enjoy different books and, by extension book choice is personal one.

We believe that our pupils need to develop secure skills in reading and work closely to support pupils joining us from KS1, aiming to ensure there is consistency in the approach to teaching of reading skills. We value the importance of quality teaching of early reading skills and quickly identify pupils who need continued support in this stage of learning to read. We offer continued phonics teaching using Read Write Inc Phonics as an intervention for pupils who have not yet completed the programme whilst in Year 2 or pupils new to the English language. 

Mrs Nicholls (Reading & Phonics Subject Leader)​

Reading Skills Progression Document 

Yearly Overview Reading Assessment Year 3 with texts 2023.pdf

Yearly Overview Reading Objectives Year 4 with texts 2023.pdf

Yearly Overview Reading Objectives Year 5 with texts 2023.pdf

Yearly Overview Reading Objectives Year 6 with texts 2023.pdf

 Reading Whole School Text Overview 2023-2024.pdf