English

At Northway Infant School we recognise the central importance of English as a medium for thought, learning and expression across the curriculum, and as a subject in its own right. It is a life skill that develops strong learning foundations to enable our children to listen, speak, read and write confidently throughout their school journey and on into adult life. Through our English curriculum we aim to develop in all the children.

• A positive attitude towards all aspects of English.
• The ability to communicate and respond confidently and effectively with individuals and larger groups to convey ideas and ask questions.
• A love of reading and books.
• The competence to produce work of high quality.
• Persistence and stamina.

Reading

We want to ensure we foster and build on children’s love of reading from an early age. Every day the children will enjoy a class story session to develop their listening skills, enrich them with new vocabulary and to develop their ability to respond to a range of questions, use syntax, recognise rhyme...Every term we have a 'favourite five' of books that cover a diverse selection of authors, and incorporate both traditional well-loved stories and newer texts, these books will be re-read on many occasions and the children are then able to share and read these books in their story teller voices. Our English texts in KS1 are chosen from core texts in the  Power of Reading that link to our values and topic.

In class we use guided reading linked to Read Write Inc (RWI), shared whole class reading and comprehension of texts including cross-curricular links. We also value individual home reading from books that are matched to each child’s reading and phonic RWI stage and these books are also sent home. We also like to invite parents in for our ‘Remarkable Reading’ sessions on Friday mornings and twice a  year we invite parents to come along and join in with their child's guided reading session.

Writing

At Northway Infant School we believe that the learning of writing skills should be embedded across the curriculum. The key skills of planning, composing and evaluating, spelling, handwriting & presentation, and grammar, punctuation and vocabulary are therefore taught explicitly in the context of English lessons, but also importantly through cross-curricular writing in other subject to allow children to embed their learning. 

In EYFS, writing is about how children build an understanding of the relationship between the spoken word and the written word, and how through making marks, drawing and personal writing, children ascribe meaning to text and attempt to write for various purposes. The appropriate developmental age in EYFS curriculum informs planning for learning activities, and writing materials are always available for the children in their child-initiated learning and play.

Curriculum lead: Mrs Julia Barrett-Low

Reading for Pleasure

Every term each class takes part in Remarkable Reading at the start of the day. Parents are invited to come and share books with their children in the library. This is a lovely experience for the children and parents love coming into school to share books with their children and friends.  

Reading for Pleasure...

We have created out 'Top Ten' recommended reads list for each year group and shared these with parents in time for Christmas!

Our Story Sacks

We are really excited to launch a new initiative at Northway…our wonderful ‘Story Sacks’ hand-made by a very talented Mrs Morley’s Mummy!

Each Friday a child will be chosen to take home the story sack for the weekend. Inside they will discover a range of books to enjoy and you might find a couple of little treats too. There is no expectation for you to record anything, simple enjoy sharing and reading these books together, but if you would like to take any photographs of your child enjoying these stories then please share these with your child’s class teacher via Class Dojo, we would love to see them.

We do ask that the Story sacks are looked after and returned after the weekend ready to be enjoyed by others.

Encouraging your child to read for pleasure is important and can be directly linked to children’s success throughout their time at school and into adulthood. Reading for pleasure opens new worlds for children. It gives them the opportunity to develop their imagination. We do hope that you enjoy our Story Sacks.

SHINE time reading for pleasure 

Reading books is always a popular activity during SHINE time the children enjoy reading and looking at their favourite books- relaxing both inside and outside.