English

Reading

Reading has an extremely high status at Betty Layward. We strongly believe that the ability to read is fundamental to pupils becoming lifelong, independent learners. Confidence and fluency in reading is the key to independent learning. Through the Destination Reader programme, children are taught to become enthusiastic, independent and reflective readers.  We celebrate and encourage children to read for pleasure through World Book Day activities, our well-resourced and welcoming school library as well as various other reading incentives like: The Extreme Reading Challenge, books swaps, book clubs and partner reading between classes. We provide our children with a wide range of quality fiction and non-fiction texts to promote reading across the curriculum.

Writing

At Betty Layward, writing is taught explicitly in daily English lessons and through other subjects. Children are encouraged to see writing as a means of purposeful communication and a powerful channel for self-expression. When teaching spelling we use the No Nonsense Spelling programme which encourages children to not only learn the rules spelling but to ‘Have A Go.’ In EYFS and KS1 children are taught phonics through the Read, Write Ink programme which teaches children the phonetic building blocks of works to support their reading and writing. At Betty Layward, we strive to give children opportunities to become creative writers through: The BBC Radio 2, 500-word story competition, World Book Day activities and school poetry and story competitions.

To view English National Curriculum: Programmes of Study KS1 & KS2