Curriculum

The National Curriculum states that, “The overall aim for English in the National Curriculum is to promote high standards of English by equipping pupils with a strong command of the written and spoken word, and develop a love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment …so all pupils develop the habit of reading widely and often for both pleasure and information.”  

In partnership with parents/carers, we aim to continue to raise standards in English and to promote the personal development of every child, by providing them with an equal opportunity to develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing across the curriculum.  

Here at Ludham our English curriculum builds upon knowledge and skills through school. It is important for our children to reach each milestone fully equipped with the skill set, knowledge and experiences of achieving highly within English. Our sequential approach to the teaching of English shows a cumulative approach which seamlessly ties Phonics, Early Reading, Speaking and Listening and Writing together.  

Our English curriculum in built upon from EYFS through KS1 to KS2 with clearly defined milestones and endpoints.  Our pupils learn to read and write effectively and quickly using the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme before moving on to a bespoke Ludham English curriculum. 

Our broad and balanced English curriculums allow our children to read and write from a range of texts written by both classic and modern authors alike. The children are given the opportunities to explore English from its earliest levels  

Ludham is determined that every pupil will learn to read, regardless of their background, needs or ability.  

Our pupils learn to read and write effectively and quickly using the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme.

Mrs Goreham and our English Leads, are always happy to discuss all things relating to English and its delivery at Ludham. 

At Ludham, we teach some of the curriculum objectives using published schemes. We aim to select schemes which are backed up by a strong evidence base so we know they will support us to deliver the curriculum in the best possible way for our children.

Phonics and Reading:

At Ludham Primary School and Nursery, we use a government approved phonics scheme called ‘Read Write Inc.’ (RWI). The scheme includes reading books which are closely matched to the sounds the child knows. Children usually finish this scheme during Year 2 and then move on to Accelerated Reader. Children continue on Accelerated Reader until they leave the school in Year 6. The scheme involves completing regular assessments to generate the book level best matched to a child’s reading ability. Children can then select any book in our Accelerated Reader library which fits this book level. Once they have read the book, children complete a book quiz to assess their comprehension of what they have read.

Writing:

To support children with their writing, we use elements of the ‘Talk for Writing’ approach. This includes children learning texts and reciting them aloud, and creating toolkits to improve their writing.

Handwriting:

We follow the ‘Nelson Handwriting’ scheme to ensure consistency in how handwriting is taught as children progress through the school.

English Curriculum Objectives

Awaiting Content

Ludham Primary School and Nursery Performance results

Writing 

Confidence and competence in the use of the written word is essential to the communication of meaning.  

Our aims are to ensure that the children:  

• Know that writing is a process over which they have control.  

• Enjoy playing with language and writing for pleasure.  

• Write appropriately for a specific audience.  

• Write for a variety of purposes and contexts.  

• Write clearly, legibly and accurately with attention to punctuation, spelling and grammar.  

• Use speaking, drafting and proof reading as part of the writing process.  

• Aspire to independent writing that is clear, imaginative and of high quality.  

Ludham Primary School & Nursery Handwriting Policy

Phonics at Ludham Primary School and Nursery

How is phonics taught at Ludham Primary School and Nursery?

• At Ludham Primary School and Nursery, we use government approved phonics scheme designed by Ruth Miskin, called ‘Read Write Inc.’ (RWI).

• High levels of reading success are achieved through the systematic teaching and consistent routines of this programme.

• Read Write Inc. is firmly based in synthetic phonics. Synthetic phonics involves converting a letter or letter group into sounds that are then blended together into a word.

Who teaches phonics at Ludham Primary School and Nursery?

• We have a dedicated team of teachers and teaching assistants who have all received accredited RWI training and they are referred to as reading teachers. They are passionate about every child learning to read and take part in weekly meetings for coaching and training purposes.

How do the groups work and what happens?

• At the beginning of Reception, each child is assessed in their phonics sound knowledge and reading skill. They are then placed in a group appropriate to what they have shown they can do within this assessment.

• This ensures that all children are working at the right level for their ability which is the best way to ensure progress and confidence in their reading skills.

• Children might not be taught phonics by their own class teacher, however, information is regularly shared between reading teachers and class teachers to ensure everyone knows where a child is working and the progress that is being made.

• Groups are assessed every half term (6 weeks) and children are moved accordingly to either accelerate progress or provide further consolidation. Any children who are not making sufficient progress will be given targeted intervention or additional 1:1 tutoring sessions during the afternoon.

What is taught in phonics?

Learning Set 1 Speed Sounds

These are the Set 1 Speed Sounds written with one letter:

m a s d t i n p g o c k u b f e l h r j v y w z x

These are the sounds written with two letters (these are known as ‘special friends’):

sh th ch qu ng nk ck

Learning to blend with Set 1 Speed Sounds

Children learn to read words containing Set 1 Speed Sounds by sound blending. The children learn this as ‘Fred-talk’ where they say each sound and then blend them to read the whole word. For example:

m-a-t = mat

c-a-t = cat

g-o-t = got

f-i-sh = fish

s-p-o-t = spot

b-e-s-t = best

s-p-l-a-sh = splash

Learning Set 2 Speed Sounds

These are the Set 2 Speed Sounds:

ay (as in play)

ee (as in see)

igh (as in high)

ow (as in blow)

oo (as in zoo)

oo (as in look)

ar (as in car)

or (as in torn)

air (fair)

ir (as in bird)

ou (as in shout)

oy (as in toy)

Learning Set 3 Speed Sounds

These are Set 3 Speed Sounds:

ea (as in tea)

oi (as in spoil)

a–e (as in cake)

i–e (as in smile)

o–e (as in home)

u–e (as in huge)

aw (as in yawn)

are (as in care)

ur (as in nurse)

er (as in letter)

ow (as in brown)

ai (as in snail)

oa (as in goat)

ew (as in chew)

ire (as in fire)

ear (as in hear)

ure (as in pure)

What about reading books?

Learning to Blend

When a child is learning to blend, they will be given RWI blending books. Children are encouraged to ‘Fred-talk’ the word and blend it together. They will be able to check if they are correct by turning the page to see an image which matches the word. Children are encouraged to sound out carefully using pure sounds.

Confidently Blending

Once confident in blending, children will begin to receive two RWI books. One is a copy of the book they have read at school in their RWI sessions. They will have read this book three or five times with their reading teacher, depending on which group they are in, so they should be confident and familiar with the story. The second book is a colourful ‘Book Bag Book’. These books allow children to apply their reading skills and are matched to the sounds they have been taught so far. There are questions at the end of the book to check understanding and promote discussion of the story. Children will not read this book in school.

How can parents help at home?

• Practise the sounds listed above for Set 1, 2, 3

• Read together daily

• Follow this link to for additional information and parent tutorials:

Reading comprehension question ideas

10 Ways to Help a Child Stuck on a Word