English

English at Deptford Park Primary School

Deptford Park Primary School English Mission Statement

Our vision for teaching English at Deptford Park Primary School (DPPS) is to enable all children to become fully literate, with good understanding and comprehension. We aim to develop a love of books and high-quality literature, encompassing diverse and multicultural literacy texts and media, that will not only support their learning across the curriculum but also extend beyond the classroom environment into the wider world.

Reading at DPPS: At DPPS, reading is at the heart of our curriculum. As children’s reading develops at different rates, teaching is tailored to each child and ability. Children will have opportunities to read in the classroom, either in shared reading, one to one reading, guided reading groups or whole class (our core texts). We have selected a variety of rich core texts to engage the children and develop a love of reading.  Children are encouraged to read a range of books in school and at home. Please ensure you read with your child daily and fill in their reading record.

Daily Synthetic Phonics session: In EYFS and KS1, we teach systematic phonics through the Little Wandle Letters and Sound Revised scheme which enables the children to link sounds and letters and begin to read and write. Children are expected to apply their phonics skills in all areas of the curriculum. Please support them to do the same at home; you can ask your child’s class teacher for tips.

Writing at DPPS: Writing is taught alongside reading through the two-weekly Read-Write cycle. Carefully selected core texts are chosen for each year group to showcase the diversity, inclusion and anti-bias curriculum and values that DPPS upholds.

Our Read-Write Cycle involves three phases, namely: the immersion phase, the exploration phase and the output phase.

In the immersion phase, the pupils get acquainted with the text through drama and discussion.

In the exploration phase, the pupils explore the language of the text.

In the output stage, the pupils are taught genre specific skills and how to plan for their writing, which is then used to produce the final output of writing for a specific purpose such as writing to entertain, to inform, to discuss or to persuade.

Reading for pleasure: We promote reading for pleasure by ensuring every classroom has an engaging book corner full of high quality books. We encourage children to visit our school library and the local library as well as participating in events like World Book Day.