At Allenbourn Middle School, we believe literacy skills are a foundation for all learning and our aim is for pupils of all abilities to become effective communicators and lovers of the spoken and written word. We do this by equipping learners with a high standard of language and literacy skills, as well as encouraging and fostering a lifelong love of reading.

Through a clear focus on using high quality texts across the curriculum, our pupils are challenged and learn to appreciate the benefits of reading for both information and pleasure. Regular, quality reading at home and in school helps to secure this aim. 

Oral activities and class debates establish a strong command of the spoken word.  A consistent focus on handwriting, spelling, grammar, punctuation and language skills lead to increased confidence and fluency in pupils’ written work. This rigour is maintained and supported across the curriculum.  At Allenbourn, we believe pupils should be learning and applying high quality literacy skills in every subject, not just in the English classroom.

We aim to ensure that pupils:

• are effective spoken communicators who are able to discuss, present and share information;
• read widely, fluently and with good understanding;
• read often for pleasure and enjoyment, both in and out of school;
• acquire a wide vocabulary and secure understanding of the conventions of grammar and language;
• write clearly, accurately and coherently with an ability to adapt their writing for different purposes.

English at Key Stage 2

The KS2 English Curriculum is split into three areas:

• Spoken Language
• Reading (word reading & comprehension)
• Writing (transcription & comprehension).

English at Key Stage 3

The KS3 English Curriculum is split into the following areas:

• Reading
• Writing
• Grammar and Vocabulary
• Spoken English.

The Reading content is divided into three broad areas:

• developing an appreciation and love of reading, and reading increasingly challenging material;
• understanding a range of texts;
• reading critically.

The Writing content is divided into two broad areas:

• writing accurately, fluently and at length for pleasure and information;
• planning, drafting, editing and proof-reading.

Grammar and Vocabulary content seeks to extend and apply the knowledge acquired at Key Stage 2 in a range of contexts and for particular effects.

Assessment

Pupils are assessed half-termly in reading and writing. Assessments will be based on a mix of teacher assessment and formal timed papers. Where timed papers are used, pupils will sit tests appropriate to the level they are working at and towards.

Class Groups

Pupils are taught in mixed-ability classes.

Homework

Pupils are set regularly spellings to learn.  They are expected to read regularly at home and complete a record of their reading in their school diary. In addition to this, one other weekly English homework is set by the class teacher.