Intent Statement

By raising attainment and accelerating progress in English, we will ensure that our children experience a broad, rich and aspirational curriculum which allows them to become secure readers and enthusiastic writers. Our safe and encouraging environment will allow our children to become confident speakers and attentive listeners.

Reading at Summerswood

We aim to develop the children's ability to read fluently, confidently and independently so that they value and enjoy reading. The school teaches reading using high quality text through a combination of approaches. The children will have the opportunity to take part in whole class, guided, shared and independent reading, progressing through different stages in each topic.

We actively encourage parents to be part of the reading process and welcome volunteer readers in school to enhance the children's reading opportunities.

We value the importance of reading for pleasure through class readers and the use of our well-resourced library.

Phonics at Summerswood

At Summerswood, Phonics is taught everyday in Reception and Key Stage 1 following the framework within Essential Letters and Sounds. The school's chosen validated SSP. This will involve a 25-30 minute daily lesson for all children of planned systematic phonics delivery, with a wide opportunity for application of skills through the environment and other lessons. 

ELS Phase 2 Sounds

ELS Phase 3 Sounds

Writing at Summerswood

We use the Herts For Learning Essentials writing curriculum, which is an ambitious and progressive primary scheme built to develop skilled and successful writers. Hooked with high quality literature, it helps teachers plan in order to guide children to write for specific purposes and authentic audiences. This innovative scheme encourages the progression in knowledge of language, grammar and vocabulary where children can feel inspired to write to the best of their ability. 

Herts Essentials allows children to develop their writing skills through use of role play, paired and small group activities, guided learning and independently. 

Grammar at Summerswood

The school follows the Programme of Study for grammar as outlined in the main body of the National Curriculum. In general, this is taught in an embedded way so as to provide meaningful contexts for children to apply their learning in their writing. However, sometimes an aspect of grammar may be taught or revised in a discrete session. Children use this knowledge to help them gain more conscious control over their writing and understand how to compose accurate sentences.

Spelling at Summerswood

The school follows the Herts For Learning- Essential Spellings scheme (Years 2-6), which empowers children to build words and become spellers for life. 

Cross-Curricular Opportunities

English influences all other areas of the curriculum and enables children to access a variety of forms of reading and writing. Wherever possible, teachers will seek to take advantage of opportunities to make cross-curricular links and support children to develop the application of the skills they learn in English lessons, in different contexts and subjects, through a variety of extended writing tasks.