English
English has 6 core components; Oracy, Reading, Writing, Handwriting, Spelling and Grammar.
Oracy is taught using the Voice 21 resources with a focus on developing vocabulary and speaking and listening skills through language. Oracy is a key skill that we all need to master to ensure we become lifelong learners and are able to function confidently in society.
We teach vocabulary and language for every day as well as having a focus on subject specific language.
We teach speaking and listening skills in all year groups. Through the Early Years curriculum and the National Curriculum we enable pupils to learn those key skills with a focus on listening, responding, discussion, questioning and answering, explaining, giving reasons, description and giving opinions.
Reading Reading is separated into Early Reading and Developing Reading. We follow the Read Write INc Scheme to teach phonics in our Reception and Key Stage 1 classes. This is a systematic scheme for teaching phonics enabling pupils to learn reading through the letter sounds along with key common exception words.
Once children have mastered the Read Write Inc programme, they move to Accelerated Reader for accessing independent reads whilst also being taught the key skills of further reading through the Pathways to Read programme of study by the Literacy Company. This is taught systematically from year 2 to year 6. It helps pupils to learn how to infer, comprehend and deduce whilst supporting fluency and accuracy which are very much needed to enable pupils to become effective readers.
Writing Writing is taught across the school using Talk For Writing, a creative story based curriculum using key books. This strategy enables pupils to become proficient writers whilst also fostering a love of writing. Oracy is a key aspect of strategy, pupils internalise the story so that they can use the model to create their own.
Handwriting Handwriting is taught using the Read Write Inc patter for forming letter shapes in Reception and Year 1 before moving to a cursive script in year 2 through to year 6. Alongside the cursive script, pupils who struggle access further intervention through Fun Fit and Speed Write. Handwriting is taught three times a week. Joined cursive script is expected to be used across the whole curriculum.
Spellings RWInc is taught from Reception to Year 2 with Early phonics being taught in Nursery. Spellings are taught in line with the programme of study. From year 2 to year 6 the school uses Spelling Shed to teach spellings. This is a systematic programme of study which becomes increasing complex as you move through the year groups. Spellings are sent home weekly and children are expected to learn them ready for a test and to use in their writing.
Grammar Grammar is taught in line with Red Write Inc and Talk for Writing. It is systematically planned across Year 2- 6. Pupils practice grammar in their Talk for Writing lessons as well as being taught discretely as and when needed.
St Mary's Reading Spine Please see the Reading Spine for the books we teach across the year groups. We have a focus on both traditional story and modern literature with modern authors that are diverse and reflect pupils interests in the 2020's.
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Mathematics
At St Mary's we teach using a mastery approach. The school uses the Power Maths Scheme of work for its Mastery approach for all pupils from Reception up to Year 6.
To compliment the Power Maths scheme of work we also use White Rose and NCETM to strengthen and deepen learning in reasoning skills so that pupil gain understanding for using and applying mathematical key concepts.