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English
At St John Fisher, we believe that a quality English curriculum should develop children’s love of reading, writing and discussion. Each unit of our English curriculum is based on high quality texts providing purposeful opportunities to practise reading, writing and speaking skills. Our curriculum aims to support all children to:
- read easily, fluently and with good understanding
- develop a habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
- acquire a wide vocabulary and a thorough understanding of grammar for reading, writing and spoken language
- appreciate rich and varied literature
- write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting language and style for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
- use discussion in order to learn - developing their ability to elaborate and explain their understanding and ideas clearly.
These aims are embedded across our English lessons and in the wider curriculum, where expectations of writing (including handwriting) are consistently high. We use our wider curriculum to enhance linguistic knowledge further as children discover subject-specific vocabulary, as well as gaining knowledge of the world through discussion and other exercises. Our provision follows a progressive, well-sequenced curriculum. When children leave our school, we aim for them to have a rich vocabulary at their disposal as well as the ability to write in a clear and cohesive way.
Reading
“If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book yet.”
– J K Rowling
At St John Fisher, we are passionate about books and our aim is to create life-long, enthusiastic readers through selecting high-quality books and poems by compelling authors. Our shared reading lessons are based on texts that have been carefully selected to provide interest, challenge and variety. In these lessons, children will read and discuss a wide range of fiction genres and poetry, increasing their familiarity with myths, legends, traditional stories, modern fiction and books from other cultures and traditions. In addition to a wide range of fiction, there is also a strong focus on non-fiction texts. We want to teach the skills needed to access and extract information effectively, as well as increase children's technical and subject-specific vocabulary.
In Shared Reading lessons, the teacher models how to read aloud with fluency and expression. Children will read aloud the same text in pairs or through echo and choral reading to enhance their expression and awareness of punctuation. Children are encouraged to discuss the reading and give their opinions. We encourage a culture where children feel confident to agree, disagree and elaborate on input from their peers. Children are taught how to justify their thoughts coherently by providing evidence from the text.
Accelerated Reader and our new library!
We use the Accelerated Reader program to track reading progress and attainment. Children in KS2 complete an online Star reading test every term which generates their ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development). Pupils can then choose a library book from within this range. On completing books, children take a short comprehension quiz and aim to score 85% or above.
Our library, funded in conjunction with our fantastic PTA, is home to hundreds of books suitable for all age groups and carefully organised according to our Accelerated Reader program. This allows children to find a book easily. Our Year 5 librarians are at hand at lunchtimes to help other children find a good read. Our junior librarians also help to maintain a neat and welcoming space throughout the week.
Our Junior Librarians
St John Fisher Catholic School Library
Reading is exciting at our school! Each week, our friendly school dog Luna visits the library and hears children read in small groups. Our soft cushion areas give children a place to read in pairs and share ideas.
Home Reading
Phonics
We follow the Government approved, systematic synthetic phonics program: Read Write Inc for our phonics teaching. Sessions run in small groups where children are taught to recognise sounds, read decodable green words, red tricky words and alien words. They then practise spelling these words and writing them down. Children are taught to apply their phonics skills and improve fluency through the Read Write Inc story books used during these sessions.
All staff receive training and regular coaching updates to ensure continuity and high levels of staff confidence in delivering these sessions.
Further information on our Phonics program can be found on our Phonics page.
Children progress through the reading levels in line with our phonics program and this is closely tracked. Once children have completed our phonics program, they move onto the Accelerated Reader program which supports teachers to match them to the correct level book.
KS2 Independent Readers
Throughout the academic year, pupils complete an online Star Reading test. The data from the test guides pupils to choose texts that they can read and enjoy independently. The school library has been organised in a way that supports children to find books that are "just right" for them. On completing books, children take a short comprehension quiz and aim to score 85% or more. Children work towards a termly reading target. Once they reach their target, they are awarded a special certificate and pencil in a celebration assembly. To help keep our readers motivated, children work towards achieving their reading milestones! For every milestone they reach, children are rewarded with a stamp that is placed in their reading record book. There are six stamps to collect in total. Once a pupil has read an incredible 1 million words, they are awarded a metal pin badge to proudly wear in school.
Teachers, parents and pupils record children's reading practise in reading diaries, which is also a form of home-school communication.
How do I determine if a book is the right level for my child?
You can use https://www.arbookfind.co.uk/ to check the level of a book that your child has chosen to read. Check against your child's ZPDs and the book's BL. See instructions below:
Writing
We are following the Essential Writing units to plan our English lessons. These have been written and developed by English advisors at Herts for Learning. The plans give children purposeful and inspiring stimuli for writing as well as aspirational models to learn from. Lessons will include a focus on grammar and punctuation alongside fun and meaningful activities which support children to become masterful, creative and passionate writers. Handwriting and spelling (taught in short discrete sessions) are another focus within the English curriculum. Each class has a working wall where the children's ideas and shared writing is displayed from lessons.
Children are prompted to reflect on their writing and consider how to edit successfully. Purple pen editing is an important part of our lessons where children feel comfortable to enhance their work using a purple pen. Teachers give whole class feedback and individual feedback in children's books. The marking code is shared with children and displayed in the classroom.
Letter Join
Letter Join is used across the school to maintain and improve handwriting as children progress through the school.
Essential Spellings
Our spelling pathway is based on the Essential Spelling program, enabling teachers to teach spellings systematically. When children cannot spell a word, teaching assistants and teachers will prompt children to use their phonetic knowledge and encourage them to look up words in a dictionary.
Special events such as World Book Day, poetry competitions and our year 6 end of school production all enrich our love of reading, writing and performing literature. The Year 6 performance of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens in 2023 and Robin Hood in 2024 were spectacular! What will Year 6 perform in July 2026?
Inclusion
At St John Fisher, all children are included in every English lessons. Work is sometimes adapted to make it accessible for a child. It is our aim for all children to feel proud of their progress and thrive in English.
Speaking
Children are encouraged to regularly contribute to class discussions in all subjects and partner-talk is a key feature in lessons. Our aim is to develop understanding of any concept through speculating, imagining and exploring ideas which are modelled by our teachers.
In upper KS2, speaking includes delivering persuasive speeches. Modelled by the teacher, children are encouraged to articulate and justify their answers, arguments and opinions. Often in upper key stage 2, class discussions can organically evolve into debates where children maturely consider and evaluate different viewpoints and build on the contributions of others.
We love to create a positive culture where children's opinions are always valued and praised. Our School Council speeches and presentations, as well as our weekly Acts of Worship, provide lots of opportunities for children to present in front of their class and participate actively in collaborative conversations. Monitoring the interest of their listeners is an important part of any presentation so children are encouraged to reflect on their performances and consider any improvements they can make for next time.
Impact
The impact of our English curriculum is a community of enthusiastic readers and writers, who enjoy showcasing their developing literacy knowledge and skills. Children are confident when encountering new vocabulary in their reading, and including it in their writing. Pupils support one another in their discussions and peer-review each other’s work, leading to collaborative conversations. Written work in both English and other subjects evidence the high expectations of written work in our school. Children write successfully across a range of genres and adapt their writing to suit the purpose and audience.
Attainment at the end of KS2 in reading and writing is currently above that of Hertfordshire and the National Average.
