GLF Schools

GLF Schools

GLF Schools was founded in 2012 in order to enable the federation of Glyn School (an academy in 2011) and Danetree Junior School. Together, we began our journey to become a MAT of more than 1000 talented staff working with over 10,000 children in 40 schools across 5 regions in southern England.

Our Schools

Banbury Region

Banstead Region

Berkshire & Hampshire Region

Caterham Region

Crawley Region

Didcot Region

Epsom Region

London Boroughs

Redhill Region

Sunbury & Camberley Region

English is an integral part of education and daily life. The stimulating English curriculum that we provide at Hammond School teaches children to speak and write fluently, enabling them to articulate their own ideas, opinions and emotions whilst also developing their communication through reading and listening. 

The English curriculum is central to all our teaching and permeates all aspects of the curriculum.  In all areas of our English curriculum, children are provided with the opportunity to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually and socially. As a result, we view English as an important part of a child’s development to become a member of society. In our schools, we believe that our curriculum encompasses the objectives from the National Curriculum.

Aims

  • To use the English language clearly and confidently
  • To be able to listen and respond in a variety of situations
  • To communicate articulately and effectively in the spoken and written word
  • To learn phonic recognition through a systematic phonic program (Letters and Sounds) aimed at their own individual level of ability
  •  To read fluently and demonstrate a good understanding of a variety of different texts
  • To acquire a wide vocabulary and the skills to continue to explore language
  • To use discussion to share their own ideas, challenge others and thereby establish their own opinions and views
  • To use planning, drafting and editing to become versatile writers
  • To write legibly for different purposes using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
  • Confidence to problem solve, using the skills developed in English
  • To independently apply English skills in other subjects of the curriculum and in wider life
  • Create a positive attitude towards English and a lifelong love of learning within the subject

What does English look like in our School?

Our English Curriculum at Hammond School is taught through discrete lessons linked to our overarching theme.

We focus our teaching on the four areas of English including: 

- Reading 

- Writing 

- Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)

- Oracy 

This year we are developing our English curriculum by investing in new resources to support our pupils' learning.

Reading

Reading is at the heart of the curriculum, and it is an integral part of every subject. At Hammond, we aim to ensure that all pupils develop into fully independent, proficient, reflective readers who love reading. It is our intention to equip our pupils with essential reading skills and a positive, enthusiastic attitude towards reading that will prepare them for the next stage of their education and life beyond school. 

A reading culture is established in our school with a vibrant, active library at its centre housing a range of non-fiction and fiction texts, and the school’s reading scheme. Our reading stock is regularly updated, to ensure all our young readers are reading for pleasure as they develop their reading skills. Pupils visit the library regularly to enjoy, discuss and borrow books.

We use a whole-class approach for the teaching of guided reading, choosing books that challenge and engage our young readers.

Recommended Books

This section contains a document listing recommended books for pupils in KS2. This is divided into year group lists and a general KS2 “classics and favourites” section. These lists are a guide only, as each child’s reading develops at a different rate so please select books that are appropriate to your child’s current ability that she/he will enjoy and benefit from reading. If you have any queries about this aspect of your child’s reading, please speak to her/his class teacher. Please see attachment document.

Reading and discussing a book with an adult supports a child’s reading development in many ways: positive, regular reading habits are established; reading fluency increases; comprehension improves; vocabulary widens; general knowledge improves and, importantly, the seeds for a lifelong love of reading for pleasure are planted.

There is a cut out, double-sided bookmark included below which contains question prompts to initiate discussion with your child about the text he/she is reading. Choose two or three questions from the bookmark to talk about with your child when you read together. See attached document called 'Reading discussion bookmark'.

Writing

A cross-curricular approach is used in the teaching of writing at Hammond. Our writing units aim to inspire and engage our pupils whilst equipping them with the critical skills needed to communicate effectively both orally and in the written word. The pupils are exposed to a wide variety of text types, learning how to adapt their language and style for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences. While different stimuli are used for each unit, class discussion and debate form the foundation of English lessons, developing our pupils’ oral communication skills. 

Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)

Vocabulary, grammar and punctuation lessons are integrated into each writing unit, supplying the pupils with the knowledge required to transcribe their ideas fluently and effectively in a manner appropriate to the genre in which they are writing. 

Spelling is taught through discrete, weekly lessons in which pupils are exposed to a spelling pattern or rule. A home learning list of the weekly spelling patterns/rules is supplied to pupils to encourage practice at home and consolidate pupils’ spelling knowledge and understanding. Weekly spelling tests will be given in class.

Oracy

We intend that our children become competent in the spoken word, fully understanding and exploring the English language. This mastery will underpin their successes in both reading and writing. Opportunities will be provided for the development of oral skills, both within and outside English lessons. Pupils will be encouraged to speak clearly, fluently and confidently using Standard English and to listen to the spoken word attentively with understanding, pleasure and empathy. Vocabulary instruction will be included in all subjects of the curriculum and the broadening of pupils’ vocabulary will be encouraged through home learning activities.  Pupils will have opportunities to justify their own ideas, hypothesise and build on others’ ideas as well as perform drama in a range of contexts for different audiences.

Handwriting 

We recognise that handwriting is an important part of the writing process and that pupils’ writing should be clear, consistent and fluent to facilitate effective communication. Joined, cursive handwriting is taught, and support is given to those pupils who require additional instruction and practice to achieve a fluent hand. 

Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) progression

Reading Progression

Text Type Progression

Sentence Progression

Year 3 and 4 Grammar and Punctuation Glossary

Year 5 and 6 Grammar and Punctuation Glossary

Spelling Activities

Recommended Book List

Reading Discussion Bookmark