At Waverley school, we strongly believe that English has a pre-eminent place in education and society. It is an essential life skill that enables children to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others, as well as develop skills that allow others to communicate with them. We aim to develop this belief through the high-quality teaching of English skills across the curriculum. The study of English develops children’s ability to listen, speak, read and write for a wide range of purposes, including the ability to express themselves clearly and thoughtfully. Through discrete teaching of phonics, reading and writing, we aim to teach children the skills needed to prosper in society.  As children become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama, as well as of non-fiction and media texts, they gain an understanding of how language works by looking at its patterns, structures and origins. Children use their knowledge, skills and understanding in speaking, reading and writing across a range of different situations and across the curriculum. The purpose of this policy is to state how the school intends to make this provision. 

We want all children to be literate. By the age of 11 children should:

• read, write and speak with confidence, fluency and good understanding, drawing upon a range of independent strategies to self-monitor and correct;
• have an interest in a wide range of reading materials and read spontaneously for enjoyment and pleasure;
• acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language;
• be familiar with, by understanding the structure and language features of, a range of non-narrative and narrative forms;
• be able to model their own writing on these familiar styles and forms according to the context, purpose of, and audience for, their writing;
• draw upon increasing powers of imagination, inventiveness, initiative and critical thinking in all aspects of their literacy experiences, including being reflective writers (writing with a reader’s eye and reading with a writer’s eye);
• at least meet age-related expectations in all aspects of English.
• speak clearly and convey ideas confidently using Standard English;
• develop their understanding through speculating, hypothesising and exploring ideas, enabling them to clarify their thinking as well as organise their ideas for writing;
• read fluently and understand extended prose (both fiction and non-fiction);
• write at length, with accurate spelling, punctuation, and correct use of grammar for a range of purposes and audiences.

For information on the key texts children will look at each half-term, please see our whole school text overview. If you would like any additional information, please contact the school.