A whole school approach

At Thomas Whitehead CE Academy, we have adopted a book focus approach to teaching and delivering our English lessons so that children are immersed in a wide range of quality texts that spark interest, increase vocabulary and develop grammar. Throughout the school, writing is taught daily using Talk for Writing.  

Intent

At Thomas Whitehead we believe that English underpins the whole school curriculum by developing our pupil’s ability to speak, listen, read and write for a wide range of purposes. Using language to learn and communicate, to think, explore and organise. We believe that all pupils should be able to confidently communicate knowledge, ideas and emotions through their writing. Through a wide exposure to writing genres pupils will be able to write accurately and coherently, whilst acquiring a broad range of vocabulary, clear understanding of grammar and be able to spell new words by applying spelling patterns and rules taught in each year group.

Our aim is to develop imaginative and articulate learners who gain transferrable skills that can strengthen their learning in all areas of the curriculum. Through a book study approach, we endeavour to engage our boys and support our children with SEND by bringing the book to life. We want pupils to acquire 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 in primary school. We want them to write clearly, accurately, coherently, and creatively, adapting their language and style for a range of meaningful contexts, purposes and audiences.

Our priorities are to raise standards in Writing for children with SEND and reluctant boys by providing exciting texts with strong characters through the Talk for Writing Approach. This methodology will ultimately develop skills in listening and speaking as well as language acquisition. The use of repetitive oral retelling, pictorial story mapping and accompanied actions will support children with SEND to retell with increasing accuracy. 

Implementation

We have judiciously selected a whole school approach to engage and excite our pupils through ‘Talk for Writing.’ This approach is based on a book focus, a modelled text and a clear teaching sequence with a hook. Taught through whole class quality first teaching, our aim is to broaden and strengthen children’s vocabulary, teach the language of narrative through a range of genres and techniques. Teach a variety of text types and non-fiction writing using a narrative as a stimulus. Through daily oral rehearsal of the modelled text using a story map, through visual representations and actions and through its repetitive sequence children will be able to learn a story through imitation and transform it into their own innovative work. The aim is for children to gain stamina for writing and engage reluctant writers. Children who are working below age related expectations are provided with quality texts and planning relevant to their stage of learning.

Impact

The impact on our children is that they have the knowledge and skills to be able to write successfully for a purpose and audience. With the implementation of the writing sequence being established and taught in both key stages, children are becoming more confident writers and have the ability to plan, draft and edit their own work. By the end of Key Stage 2 children have developed a writer’s craft, they enjoy sustained writing and can manipulate language, grammar and punctuation to create effect. As all aspects of English are an integral part of the curriculum, cross curricular writing standards have also improved, and skills taught in the English lesson are transferred into other subjects; this shows consolidation of skills and a deeper understanding of how and when to use specific language, grammar and punctuation.

Transcription: Spelling 

We have a dedicated approach to the teaching and learning of phonics (see Phonics page) and spellings. In KS1 and KS2 spelling is taught for 30 minutes per week dedicated to teaching the spelling rules and conventions relating to all areas of the English curriculum. These are revisited through English lessons. We use Twinkl throughout the school to support in the teaching of spellings. Every week children are tested on their spellings. In KS2 children are tested through a dictation. We conduct a Specialist Literacy Group which teaches children to read and spell whole words. This programme is aimed at children who have not consolidated or mastered phonics and is an alternative to teaching Reading and Spelling. 

Transcription: Handwriting 

We have a whole school approach to handwriting which starts from Reception.  At the end of Year 2, children are taught that all letters have an entry and exit stroke and that they should sit on the line.  All children are expected to write using formal cursive script which means that their writing is consistently joined.  This enables our children to write fluently, more speedily and more legibly.  Teachers are also asked to model cursive handwriting during lessons and when marking children’s work.