English, Reading and Communication
Subject Intent: At HVH, the purpose of English is to equip students with the skills to function as literate adults independently. They should be able to read, write and communicate at an appropriate level for their ability, so that they are confident and prepared to engage in all aspects of their life beyond school.
Subject Staff: Subject Lead of English: J. Overbury, Teachers: Angela Bird, Ruth Stephenson, Mr Dale, Mr Holmes and Mrs Nicholls, Ms Gardiner (Reading Intervention).
Experiences:
Students at HVH will have access to a wide variety of experiences from Key Stage 3-5, including learning experiences at the literary heritage sites such as Stratford-upon Avon and The Globe alongside more local experiences at local historical sites and various museums, theatres and activities.
Links to School Values:
The school values of teamwork, independence and confidence apply strongly to students in English. They will have opportunities to work together collaboratively and increase their confidence by working independently, fostering a love of achievement and pride in their English work.
Reading and Communication:
Our curriculum at all key stages is book based and the topics taught are centred round one key text. In addition, students have the opportunity to read independently and have a range of texts read to them, thus helping them widen their knowledge and use of vocabulary, intonation and tone when reading. Students have access to our school library, Accelerated Reader and their own books from home. In addition, students that are not able to read fluently are assessed and placed on our intervention programme, Ruth Miskin Read Write Inc for students in year 7 and 8. Students in year 9 who require reading intervention are placed on the Fresh Start programme with 1:1 intervention.
Quals/Accred:
Our key stage 3 curriculum is a modified KS2 curriculum, following on from the curriculum taught at our primary feeder schools. Students in KS4 and 5 study Pearson Edexcel Entry level English levels 1, 2 and 3. Beyond this, students can go on to gain further qualifications in English by studying the subject at Functional Skills Levels 1 and 2, with AQA.
Key Stage 3
In Key Stage 3 English, students at HVH have the opportunity to develop their reading, writing and spoken language skills through a variety of carefully chosen topics that aim to widen student’s knowledge of their literary cultural heritage whilst also providing opportunities for students to develop their knowledge and skills with spelling, punctuation and grammar, therefore helping them to become literate adults and help them be ready for life.
Key Stage 4
In Key Stage 4 English, students at HVH have the opportunity to build on the knowledge and skills studied at KS3 to help them prepare for accredited courses in English. Students will study a variety of topics that prepare them for adult life alongside continuing to build their literary cultural capital.
Key Stage 5
In Key Stage 5 English, students at our Sixth Form prepare to take their English studies further by preparing to take our accredited courses at a higher level so that when they leave us in year 14, they are fully literate young adults and are able to communicate in the world of work and beyond.
Reading
Reading and Communication Skills at Hednesford Valley High School
Reading is fundamental to education and our desire to develop a lifelong love of learning in students. It is also a key skill that will support our students throughout their lives in education, work and daily tasks. It is therefore the ambition at Hednesford Valley High School that all students leave with the ability to read, regardless of their needs, previous experience and background. We fully support the DfE’s reading framework (see reading list below) and have adapted key areas to ensure reading throughout school:
- The implementation of a systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) reading programme to support learners
- The introduction of a Reading Lead to oversee the school’s Reading Strategy across the school. This is Mrs Overbury, our Head of English.
- The introduction of a Phonics Lead to oversee the Phonics Programme. This is Miss Bird, our English Teacher.
- Teachers and support staff are trained in phonics to ensure consistent application and language and practice throughout the curriculum.
- The development of a Reading Strategy to support the school’s aim.
- Promoting a culture of reading throughout school, where all subjects take into account the reading texts, subject specific language and enable opportunities to support reading throughout their curriculum plans.
Read Write Inc. and Fresh Start
The preferred SSP reading programme for Hednesford Valley High School is Read, Write Inc. The main reason for this are:
- It is an DfE validated SSP reading programme, which ensures it has met the DfE’s criteria for an effective programme.
- Our main feeder primary currently uses the same programme. Through collaboration, this ensures a streamlined transition and consistency of approach and application.
- There is an alternative programme “Fresh Start” that incorporates SSP with age-appropriate material.
We agree with the DfE’s understanding that for a student to become a good reader, it is not just the ability to decode words, but also to comprehend words. At Hednesford Valley High School we provide many opportunities for students to further develop their language comprehension. This is across all pathways of learners and beyond.
- Staff are to be trained in Makaton to promote communication with identified students.
- In English lessons there are opportunities to read independently and for pleasure.
Some links for your information:
The reading framework (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Choosing a phonics teaching programme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Accelerated Reading - Renaissance - Log In (renaissance-go.com)
Phonics - a Parent's Guide
At Hednesford Valley High School we use the Read Write Inc. phonics programme.
Read Write Inc. is a popular phonics scheme. Like all phonics schemes, it teaches children the sounds in English, the letters that represent them, and how to form the letters when writing. Read Write Inc. Phonics includes reading books written using only the letters they have learnt at each level (and a small number of separately taught tricky words). The children will quickly feel confident and successful.
Read Write Inc provide lots of free resources to support your child’s learning, all of which you can use at home.
For more information on Communication, click here