English

English at Seven Mills is led by Rosie.

Seven Mills's English Curriculum aims to:

• foster a life-long love of reading and writing through rich, varied and exciting learning opportunities for children

• engage children in purposeful reading and writing across the curriculum

• enrich children’s vocabulary 

• provide an engaging curriculum in line with the requirements of the revised National Curriculum 

• provide a robust assessment approach, centred on formative assessment 

Writing:

At Seven Mills, we adopt a cross-curricular approach to the teaching of English.  English units are based on high quality texts which link to the half-term’s topic.  Each unit of learning includes a range of non-fiction and fiction writing opportunities, with a main end writing outcome linked to the text.  Opportunities for writing poetry are also developed at least once per half term.  

Reading/Phonics:

At Seven Mills, we recognise the importance of early reading and know that becoming a fluent, skilled and attentive reader starts at the earliest stages.  We ensure that we have a rigorous approach to teaching reading to support children in developing the skills required, as well as growing a love of reading.  In every classroom: 

• Phonics is taught consistently and rigorously through the Jolly Phonics Fully Synthetic Phonics Scheme.  

• Jolly phonics songs are available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmMoFbhpFk4. A parent guide for how to pronounce the sounds can be found at: https://youtu.be/-ksblMiliA8

• Daily 1:1 Reading takes place in EYFS, Daily Supported Reading takes places in Year 1 and Year 2 currently, while whole class Reading takes place in KS2

• Clear intervention programmes take place for any child who is falling behind in Reading/Phonics or needs support with developing fluency

• There is a vibrant reading display in each class, showing the reading skills where appropriate 

• Teachers read a class book to the children for 15 minutes every day

To further develop a love of reading, children:

• Have access to the school library and a 30 minute session with the school librarian every week 

• Celebrate World Book Day 

• Partake in a poetry slam where every child learns a poem off by heart, having an opportunity to perform these poems to others.

We focus on the 7 Skills of 7 Mills - clarifying, retrieving, predicting, summarising, inferring, evaluating and making links.

Our current priorities in English are:

• To embed recent curriculum innovation in English, Reading and Phonics, ensuring all teachers are using them effectively to improve learning 
• To support and develop teachers’ high expectations for all learners in Reading/Phonics and Writing by developing challenge for all children
• To develop the standard of writing in specific year groups, ensuring they are in line with national standards