At South Harringay we equip our children with essential language and literacy skills through an inclusive and engaging curriculum that enables them to communicate their ideas and emotions fluently to others, and through their reading and listening, enables others to communicate with them.
We encourage children to develop a love for reading through the use of carefully selected class texts; daily whole class reading which challenges them to apply their reading skills in depth and enjoy real books; weekly guided reading sessions that target individual skills; and celebrations, such as, weekly reading champions, along with other events, like World Book Day. Literature plays a key role in supporting our pupils to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually and acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know.
We aim to ensure that all pupils:
- read easily, fluently and with good understanding
- develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
- acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
- appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
- write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
- use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
- are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
We use the EYFS Framework and the KS1 and KS2 National Curriculum to support planning. We have a rigours and well-sequenced English curriculum providing pupils with:
- a rigorous and systematic approach to the teaching of phonics which has high ambitions; ensuring phonics mastery for every child by the end of key stage 1 at the latest. However, we are also responsive to the needs of our in–year intake of pupils, who may arrive from another school without our exacting standards, or from abroad with little or no experience of English. (Early reading and Phonics)
- wide range of genres and appreciation of our rich and varied literary heritage
- the opportunity to acquire a wide range of ambitious vocabulary and creative writing techniques to engage the reader
- an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
- the ability to write clearly, accurately and coherently, and with appropriate detail, adapting their language, structure and style for purpose and context
- opportunities to practice and use discursive language both orally and in written form
- the skills to give presentations and take part in debates
- links to other subjects in order to embed key knowledge and vocabulary
Our staff use Word Aware, a structured whole school approach, to promote the vocabulary development of all children.
Our children regularly use technology to support their learning in English. You can see some examples below:
At South Harringay pupils and teachers use our own assessment criteria developed in line with the National Curriculum requirements to self, peer and teacher assess in writing and reading as they move through each stage of their learning journey.
Furthermore, termly Rising Star assessment tests are undertaken for Reading.
Our children regularly use technology to support their learning in English. You can see some examples below: