The teaching and learning of English contains three interlinking skill strands: speaking and listening, reading, and writing. The school’s aim is to instill a love of literature and language, enabling students to express themselves clearly and fluently, both in written and spoken forms.

Here’s a breakdown of the key points in your document:

Speaking and Listening:

• It highlights the crucial role of speaking and listening in all aspects of learning.

• These skills are foundational to various subjects, from poetry recitation to class debates and problem-solving.

• They enable children to articulate their thoughts and ideas while also understanding those of others.

Phonics and Spelling:

• A strong foundation in phonics is emphasized, as it is essential for successful reading, writing, and spelling.

• The school employs a systematic synthetic phonics-based program in the early years, focusing on decoding, segmenting, and blending words.

Reading:

• St. Mark’s places great emphasis on reading and strives to provide children with a variety of reading materials to support fluency and comprehension.

• The school monitors children’s progress through various reading approaches, including whole-class, small group, and one-on-one reading.

• The involvement of parents in supporting the reading process is encouraged, as it broadens children’s exposure to different texts.

Writing:

• The document highlights the transition from verbal expression to expressing ideas through drawing, mark-making, and writing.

• It stresses the importance of encouraging children to write for different purposes and audiences, both in fiction and non-fiction contexts.

• The school aims to develop children’s creativity, imagination, vocabulary, spelling, and handwriting skills through effective teaching practices.

Handwriting:

• The text acknowledges that handwriting is a skill that requires regular practice.

• Regular handwriting practice sessions are held, and the development of this skill is supported across the curriculum.

This document provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the school’s approach to English language education, emphasizing the interconnected nature of the different language skills and the importance of foundational knowledge in phonics and spelling. It also encourages parental involvement in the reading process and highlights the significance of regular handwriting practice.