Literacy at Walker 

Our Literacy Curriculum

At Walker, we intend to provide a Literacy curriculum which is engaging, inspirational and ambitious.  Therefore, English language and literature is at the very heart of our whole school curriculum. Our careful planning and teaching ensures that children’s abilities to listen, speak, read and write for a wide range of purposes are developed, built on, challenged and extended. 

Aims

The National Curriculum is at the core of our teaching.  Our aims reflect those of the National Curriculum which details that children are given the opportunities to:  

• 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

Intent 

Our Literacy curriculum is designed to develop the essential literacy skills needed to prepare children for life as successful, valuable and socially responsible citizens. We inspire children to be confident, motivated learners to equip them for their future.  At Walker, we whole-heartedly ‘promote high standards of literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment,' (National Curriculum 2014).

Our Curriculum 

Our Literacy curriculum is planned so that it is accessible to all children and enables success regardless of background or ability.  Our carefully sequenced curriculum supports children in acquiring and developing a range of skills that are crucial to a high quality education.   Learning objectives are taken directly from the National Curriculum and are broken down into smaller, manageable and meaningful steps. Skills are explicitly taught and children are given opportunities to practise and master them in different contexts. We use an integrated approach to ensure that learning is contextual and purposeful.  For example, children learning about the Stone Age might read non-fiction texts about the Stone Age, write a diary extract for people living during this era, explain how houses were built, investigate the changes between the three separate periods and learn vocabulary associated with this topic.  

From Reception to Year 6, children have daily literacy lessons.  Each lesson cements literacy skills by building, developing, extending and challenging pupils’ knowledge and understanding. 

More information being updated...