Literacy
Hathersage St. Michael’s C of E (A) Primary School
Literacy – Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At Hathersage St. Michael’s C of E (A) Primary School we believe that a quality Literacy (English) curriculum should develop children’s love of reading, writing and discussion. One of our priorities is helping children read and develop their all-important comprehension skills. We recognise the importance of nurturing a culture where children take pride in their writing, can write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of contexts. We want to inspire children to be confident in the art of speaking and listening and who can use discussion to communicate and further their learning.
We believe that children need to develop a secure knowledge-base in Literacy, which follows a clear pathway of progression as they advance through the primary curriculum. We believe that a secure basis in literacy skills is crucial to a high-quality education and will give our children the tools they need to participate fully as a member of society.
Progression of Skills and Knowledge Documents:
Implementation
The National Curriculum for English aims 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.
These aims are embedded across our literacy lessons and the wider curriculum. We have developed a rigorous and well organised English curriculum and framework, that provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion. We use a wide range of materials to enhance the delivery of quality first teaching and incorporate a broad and balanced curriculum, which holds the children’s own interests at heart. The inter-related skills of reading, writing and speaking/listening are taught and practised throughout the curriculum. Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling are taught discretely and then reinforced through writing and reading lessons. 1:1 and small group interventions are effectively implemented in order to support Literacy teaching across the school.
Impact
Pupils achieve well at Hathersage St. Michael’s C of E (A) Primary School. In 2024, the school achieved above national averages in all areas of the curriculum from EYFS – the end of Y6. Children across the school are able to demonstrate good speaking and listening skills through extra-curricular activities such as The School Council and The ECO committee. Moderated literacy writing demonstrate that pupils are able to write and adapt their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences. Our pupils also acquire a wide vocabulary represented in our classroom display and literacy working walls and have a strong command of the written word. Most importantly, they develop a love of reading and writing, achieve highly and are well equipped for the rest of their education.
We hope that as children move on from Hathersage St. Michael’s C of E (A) Primary School to further their education and learning, that their creativity, passion for English and high aspirations travel with them and continue to grow and develop as they do.
Hathersage St. Michael’s C of E (A) Primary School
Reading/Phonics
Hathersage St. Michael’s (A) Primary School’s intent is that every child will learn to read, regardless of background, needs or abilities. We want our children to be fluent, confident readers. They will be exposed to a wealth of stories, poems, rhymes and non-fiction to develop their vocabulary, language comprehension and develop a genuine love of reading and a keen interest in a range of texts.
Progression of Skills in Reading
We work to inspire our pupils to become passionate life-long readers who enjoy books and have a desire to read for pleasure. In order for the children to have the will to read, and be able to read to learn, they need to have secure skills in reading so that they can read with fluency and comprehension.
Reading is at the heart of our whole curriculum underpinning every subject area. We want every child to read widely, and to gain a rich knowledge across the curriculum. By offering a wide range of texts, we aim to broaden their minds and experiences to allow them to empathise with the world in which they live and support the development of their cultural capital.
Reading is such an important life skill that it is imperative we enable them to become independent readers who can easily process information, fully engage in all learning and be well prepared for their next stage of their education.
Reading and Phonics
Validated systematic, synthetic phonics programme: 'Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised'
We teach early reading through the validated systematic, synthetic phonics programme 'Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised' which we have purchased, completed a rigorous CPD programme and implemented across the school.
Right from the start of Reception, children will have a daily phonics lesson which follows the progression for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds and this continues in Year One to ensure children become fluent readers. Pupils in Y2 onwards also receive regular Phonics lessons in smaller groups or on an individual basis depending on need.
We follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised Programme of Progression.
Reading practice sessions give children regular opportunities to apply the phonics they have learned to reading fully decodable books. The phonic progression in these books matches the progression of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. The reading practice sessions take place three times a week. Each reading practice session has a clear focus, the reading practice sessions focus on three key reading skills:
- decoding
- prosody – reading with meaning, stress and intonation
- comprehension – understanding the text.
Please follow the links to Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised below for further support.
https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
The School's Literacy Subject Leader is Mrs Gemma Lightfoot
The school's Literacy/Phonics Governors are Mr Mick Turton and Mrs Elisabeth Madden
The letter regarding taking books home from school is available here.
At Hathersage St. Michael's Primary School we have been developing our Literacy Working Walls. This has helped to develop independent and confident learners.
Take a look at some of the examples below...
We like to celebrate Reading and Writing across the school...
We really enjoy celebrating World Book Day at Hathersage St. Michael's School. The School Council organised lots of fun activities across the school including: a very competitive, 'Decorate Your Door' competition, a published illustrator came to school to share her drawings and members of the Governing Board came to share their favourite books with the children.
World Book Day is celebrated by dressing as our favourite book characters and sharing fun reading activities across the school
Year 5 Dovedale Class entered The BBC 500 Word Story Competition. They all received a certificate.