What does English look like at Heath Hayes Academy?
English learning is delivered through the Hero’s Curriculum. Within each adventure, English activities include handwriting, spelling, punctuation and grammar activities, reading, spoken language, writing in a variety of genres, phonics, storytime and DEAR (drop everything and read). The context of learning is explicitly linked to foundation subjects within adventures to ensure an embedded approach. English is split into Phonics, Reading and Writing.
Phonics: Phonics is taught daily for 45 minutes. Currently the school follows Read, Write Inc. Phonics, within Early Years and KS1. Children in KS1, received phonics teaching specifically targeted to their knowledge base. Small phonics groups ensure specific phoneme and grapheme coverage and support children in accelerated progress. Children receiving phonics follow a scheme of learning through RWI texts within school as well as ‘read at home’ books provided weekly.
Writing from EYFS to KS2
- Intent
The Hero’s Curriculum is specifically planned and designed in order to produce quality writing from its learners. Adventures allow staff to define and build purposeful writing opportunities for knowledge and application of previously learnt and new grammar, punctuation and spelling skills.
- Implementation
Linked closely with the whole school reading process, writing sessions deepen language understanding, grammar knowledge and authorial choice which provides pupils with the skills to write within a range of genres. Connected, contextual adventures allow for 1 – 2 pieces of extended writing to be completed to a high standard per adventure. Professional development of staff is continually audited to ensure accuracy in grammar, punctuation, spelling and the teaching of writing.
- Impact
Success within writing at Heath Hayes evidences purposeful pieces of writing with engaged learners reading these aloud. The impact of combining text exposure and accuracy in grammar knowledge ensures children are provided with a writing toolkit to draw upon. Learners can apply their understanding of writing to write for a range of audiences and purposes.