English
Intent
At Bankfoot Primary School, our literacy intent is to foster a culture of communication, confidence, and resilience, ensuring that all students are equipped with the skills and mindset needed to succeed academically and thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world. Our approach to literacy encompasses all aspects of language development, including: speaking and listening; reading and writing; and the effective use of assistive technology.
We believe in promoting inclusion, embracing diversity, and fostering a growth mindset where all learners are encouraged to be ready, be resilient, and strive for continuous improvement. Our intent is to develop well-rounded learners who are confident communicators, critical thinkers and lifelong learners.
Our subject intent for literacy is guided by the following principles:
Early Language Development in EYFS
- Provide a rich and stimulating environment that promotes language development, communication skills, and emergent literacy in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
- Implement a play-based curriculum that encourages exploration, interaction, and expressive language development through activities such as storytelling, role-play and small group discussions.
Promoting Speaking and Listening Skills:
- Foster the development of speaking and listening skills across all year groups.
- Provide opportunities for students to engage in meaningful conversations, debates, presentations, assemblies and collaborative projects, building confidence and fluency.
Articulate and Confident Communicators:
- Encourage students to express themselves articulately and confidently, both verbally and in writing, by providing opportunities for self-expression, creativity, and reflection.
- Scaffold speaking and writing tasks to support students of all abilities; empowering them to communicate their thoughts, ideas, and emotions effectively.
Building Resilience and a Growth Mindset:
- Foster a culture of resilience and a growth mindset by celebrating effort, perseverance and learning from mistakes.
- Provide opportunities for students to take risks, face challenges and develop strategies for overcoming obstacles in their literacy learning journey.
Inclusive Practices and Assistive Technology:
- Embrace inclusive practices and provide targeted support for students with diverse learning needs, including those requiring assistive technology.
- Integrate assistive technology tools and resources to enhance accessibility and support students in accessing and engaging with literacy materials.
Enhancing Knowledge Retention and Information Processing:
- Implement evidence-based instructional strategies that promote active engagement, critical thinking and deep understanding of literacy concepts.
- Use a variety of teaching methods, such as inquiry-based learning, cooperative learning, and multisensory approaches to help students retain knowledge and make meaningful connections.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:
- Foster collaboration and partnership among all stakeholders, including pupils, parents, teachers and community members, to support literacy development and academic success.
- Provide opportunities for ongoing communication, feedback, and involvement in literacy initiatives and decision-making processes.
By implementing our literacy intent and working collaboratively with all stakeholders, we aim to empower our students to be ready, be resilient, and continuously strive to be better learners, communicators, and contributors to their communities and beyond.
Implementation:
Oracy and Speaking Skills:
- Implement teaching that promotes speaking and listening skills across all year groups.
- Provide opportunities for students to engage in purposeful speaking activities, such as debates, presentations, assemblies and discussions, to develop confidence and fluency in oral communication.
Reading for Comprehension and Enjoyment:
- Implement a comprehensive reading program that emphasises both comprehension skills and a love for reading.
- Provide access to a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts that reflect diverse cultures, experiences and interests.
- Foster a culture of reading through providing opportunities for reading beyond the classroom.
Writing for Expression and Creativity:
- Implement a balanced approach to writing instruction that focuses on both technical skills and creative expression.
- Provide opportunities for students to write for different purposes and audiences, including narratives, reports, persuasive essays and poetry.
- Scaffold writing tasks to support students of all abilities and encourage risk-taking and experimentation.
Supporting Students with SEND:
- Provide targeted support and interventions for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to ensure equitable access to the curriculum.
- Use a range of differentiated instructional strategies, resources, and assistive technologies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
Promoting a Growth Mindset and Resilience:
- Embed principles of growth mindset and resilience into literacy instruction, encouraging students to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and persist in the face of setbacks.
- Provide opportunities for students to reflect on their learning, set goals, and celebrate their progress and achievements.
Impact:
Confident Communicators:
- Students demonstrate confidence and fluency in oral communication, articulating their ideas clearly and effectively in a range of contexts.
- Students actively participate in class discussions, presentations, assemblies and debates, demonstrating their ability to listen attentively and express themselves with confidence.
Skilled Readers and Writers:
- Students demonstrate proficiency in reading comprehension, applying strategies to understand and analyse a variety of texts.
- Students produce well-crafted written work, demonstrating creativity, clarity, and attention to detail in their writing.
Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment:
- Students with SEND receive appropriate support and accommodations to fully participate in literacy activities and achieve their learning goals.
- The school community embraces diversity and fosters an inclusive environment where all students feel valued and supported.
Resilient Learners:
- Students demonstrate resilience and perseverance in their literacy learning, approaching challenges with a positive attitude and a growth mindset.
- Students understand that mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth, and they are motivated to continue improving and striving for success.
By implementing our subject intent for literacy and monitoring its impact, we aim to empower our students to be ready, be better, and be resilient learners who are well-prepared for success in school and beyond.
