Our Curriculum
At Birstwith Primary School we have carefully built an English curriculum where learning to, and enjoying reading and writing, has high priority.
High quality literature, spanning different genres and time-periods forms the basis of our English curriculum, and fiction, non-fiction and poetry is used to enhance learning across all aspects of the curriculum, stimulating discussion, understanding, knowledge and research. All children have dedicated daily story time, in addition to reading/phonics, writing, grammar, handwriting and spelling lessons.
Our curriculum, teaches children to: ‘write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences’, with ‘an increasingly wide knowledge of vocabulary and grammar’, and ‘fluent, legible and, eventually, speedy handwriting’. .DFE National Curriculum for England – 2014 …and is based on four main purposes of writing across KS1 & KS2, writing to:
- to entertain
- to inform;
- to persuade
- to discuss.
We recognise that reading and writing are intertwined. Becoming a fluent, skilled and attentive reader starts at the earliest stages, and high-quality talk that develops vocabulary is key.
Our Early Years children are exposed to a carefully planned curriculum which provides opportunities for them to listen, join in, talk with adults and peers, and talk about books, as well as varied opportunities to explore and communicate through play. Storytime is frequent; texts are chosen specifically to enhance learning, as well as in response to children’s interests; and to stimulate talk and writing, across all year groups, and high-quality texts play a central role in our wider curriculum. Texts and activities are planned to meet the needs of all pupils, and the requirements of the National Curriculum, in our mixed-age classes, exposing children to a wide range of literature. Thus, providing children with opportunities to read, share, perform, write – and enjoy, a rich diet of language.
As children begin Reception, there is a heavy emphasis on phonics with teaching and learning, following the ‘Little Wandle’ scheme of work, which supports all children to develop strong phonics skills for reading and spelling - and this is built upon as they progress through KS1 & 2. The writing curriculum, texts, poetry, and purpose for writing is carefully mapped so that children can build their knowledge progressively. Our plans outline how our rolling programme meets the requirements of the National Curriculum through this approach. With approximately 50% of the time, devoted to writing to entertain, and opportunities to regularly revisit objectives, our curriculum gives children the opportunity to become secure and confident writers.
Year 1 and Year 2
Year 3 and Year 4
Yeaer 5 and Year 6
Spelling - EYFS & KS1
In Reception and KS1, spelling is taught as an intergral part of their Little Wandle phonics teaching.
Spelling - KS2
In the National Curriculum, the spelling curriculum for KS2 is based on a two-yearly rolling program - Y3/4 and Y5/6 - this means that your child will have two years to learn each of these curriculum spelling requirements.
There are two parts to the NC spelling requirements:
- A list of statutory words to learn to spell - the lists are determined by the DFE and are a mixture of words pupils frequently use in their writing and those which they often misspell. The government acknowledges that ‘some of the listed words may be thought of as quite challenging, but the 100 words in each list can easily be taught within the four years of key stage 2 alongside other words that teachers consider appropriate’.
- A list of spelling patterns and rules to learn - these will enable children to learn about words which follow common patterns/ rules to enable them to apply these rules to any unknown words they want to write. E.g. words containing ‘ight’.
At Birstwith the statutory words will be taught and practised regularly (several times each week) within school using a variety of strategies – (These techniques will also help the children to recognise and apply spelling rules). The spelling rules will also be taught and practised within school and these will be sent home for the children to practise. Children will have opportunities to practice thier spellings through a short, regular dictation.
Handwriting
At Markington and Birstwith Schools, we place a central and explicit focus on teaching handwriting and transcription at an age-appropriate level, from children’s first entry into school. We use the Little Wandle reading scheme and our phonics and early handwriting and phonics are deeply interconnected to avoid confusing young learners.
Formation is taught in families, where letters within families have dimilar features, inclusing starting positions and orientation. This helps children to form letters correctly by supporting motor development and reducing cognitive load.
Handwriting and spelling are taught/ practiced daily in all classes.
In KS2, handwriting is practiced daily interlinked to the weekly spellings and dictations. Handwriting progression across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 shifts from securing individual mechanical print to building a fluent, automatic cursive style that frees cognitive capacity for composition. Reception and Key Stage 1 establishes foundational letter formation and spacing in print before introducing diagonal and horizontal joins in Year 2, while Key Stage 2 embeds joined writing across the curriculum, develops physical stamina, and fosters personal style and adaptability.