Teaching and Organisation

Spelling and Phonics -Reception and Year 1

Phonics Teaching

We teach phonics in Reception and Year 1 using the government recommended Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS) programme. 

The children in Year 1 take the Phonics Assessment Check in June. In June 2023, 97.5% of our children reached the expected threshold. 

See separate 'Phonics' tab for more details.

Spelling - Year 2- 6

From Year 2 to Year 6, we follow the Herts for Learning Essential Spelling scheme of Work. This is a is a whole class approach to teaching spelling that enables all children to succeed and gives teachers the unique tools to make that happen. Spelling patterns are broken down into sequences for each year group. Every sequence tracks back to review prior linked learning, enabling children to build on the foundations of previous year groups. We send home termly spelling newsletters for each class which show the spelling patterns that will be covered through a term, rather than using weekly spelling lists. Assessment is built into the sequence through application in place of weekly spelling tests.

Writing

Cursive handwriting is taught from year 1, using Letter Join and develops as the children progress through the school.

Text composition is taught as a writing process, allowing the children to use the skills of planning, writing, editing and redrafting their work in many contexts. This takes place in the English lesson as well as through other curriculum areas. Children are supported in the application of their skills through the use of modelled, guided and shared writing. Age-appropriate grammar objectives are also included within these sessions to teach the specific skills relevant to different text types. These are mapped out in termly overviews that link to the Reading Spine for each key phase. Examples of these can be found below.