- The National Literacy Strategy was introduced into schools in September 1998 and provides daily focused English teaching. These daily literacy sessions focus on the key skills of reading, writing and spelling. The children may work in a variety of groupings such as whole class, small groups or individually. Alongside our daily literacy sessions additional time is spent developing reading and writing skills. Increasingly we are developing the children's literacy skills through other areas of the curriculum for example through history, geography or science.
- The children experience a wide variety of books as soon as they begin school. Children are encouraged to take books home daily from our home reader shelves, along with a weekly library book, to share the enjoyment of reading with their family. The children read in school in a variety of ways - individually to an adult, in a group with an adult, paired with another child and quietly to themselves (quiet reading time). Research has shown that a child's progress significantly improves if they read regularly at home. We ask parents to read regularly with their children at home, approximately 10 minutes is more than sufficient.
- Spelling and handwriting are closely linked at Sherington. Weekly spellings and Mental Maths are given to children in Year 2 to learn and again we encourage parents to help their child learn these during the week.
- Handwriting is taught in specific sessions during the week. Once children have learnt to form their letters correctly we begin to teach the children to join their handwriting.
- Speaking and listening skills are an important part of our English work at Sherington. From the moment they start school children are listening and talking in groups. They learn to listen to other people's experiences and are encouraged to contribute their own experiences confidently and clearly, using appropriate vocabulary. They are taught to make their speech appropriate for a variety of audiences through, class assemblies, whole school assemblies, treasure time and school productions for example. Music and drama sessions are used to develop speaking and listening skills.
- The National Literacy and Numeracy Frameworks are currently under review. Staff are embarking on training provided through Milton Keynes Local Authority.
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