At The Ashbeach Primary School, a maintained primary school, we are dedicated to nurturing our pupils' love of learning and supporting them in developing the essential skills they need to thrive. Our vision, "Learning for life - to be the best we can possibly be," is at the heart of everything we do, guiding our approach to English education.

Handwriting

We follow a structured handwriting programme that aligns with the teaching of phonics in the early years. Pupils are taught the correct pencil grip, body positioning, letter formation, size, and spacing, in line with the recommendations of the National Handwriting Association. As they progress, they are introduced to joining letters using diagonal and horizontal joins, helping them develop fluent and legible handwriting.

Spelling

Building on the foundations laid in our phonics programme, our spelling curriculum focuses on developing pupils' understanding of spelling patterns and rules. After completing the phases of the Little Wandle phonics scheme, pupils move to the 'Bridge to Spelling' programme and then onto Spelling Shed, where they engage in targeted activities and games to reinforce their learning. Spelling is taught three times a week, supporting our pupils to become confident and accurate spellers.

English Lessons

In both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, our English lessons are centred around high-quality texts, which serve as a springboard for developing pupils' reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills. We follow an approach, where pupils first read and respond to the text, then analyse its features and effects. This lays the groundwork for them to apply their learning when producing their own writing for a range of purposes and audiences.

Our commitment to evolving and aspiring to be the best we can be is reflected in our ongoing assessment and adaptation of our English curriculum. We use termly summative assessments to track progress and identify areas for additional support, while daily formative assessments guide our teaching and ensure that all pupils are challenged and supported appropriately.

By embedding our core values of honesty, resilience, and teamwork throughout our English provision, we empower our pupils to become confident, articulate communicators, equipped with the skills they need to succeed both in their academic pursuits and in the wider world.