Westbury School Physical Education Policy

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pe policy

2003

A STATEMENT OF INTENT

English is the means by which we communicate in school in public, in public life, business and internationally. In studying English at Westbury we enable pupils to develop key skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing and so prepare them to take their place in the “World beyond school”. It is important that all pupils are able to express themselves clearly, creatively and imaginatively. We aim to develop pupils’ skills to communicate effectively with others in a variety of contexts.

All teaching contributes to pupils’ development of language skills, since speaking, listening, reading and writing are, to varying degrees, integral to all lessons. English has a special role in fostering pupils’ enthusiasm for language, in particular through exposure to literature which is rich and influential, reflecting the experience of people from many countries and times. The teaching of English should develop pupils’ ability to understand how language works by examining structures, patterns and origins. This knowledge should enable pupils to choose and adapt what they say and write in different contexts.

PHILOSOPHY

The value of English teaching within the curriculum is undeniable. The confident use of language is one of the most important tools we can develop within pupils. The English curriculum at Westbury is designed to inspire pupils, develop a love of literature and encourage pupil achievement. We aim to build on pupil strengths and minimise the risk of failure whilst presenting appropriate levels of challenge. Developing language skills enables pupils to become more confident and successful in all areas of the school curriculum. This, in itself, will contribute to raising pupil self-esteem and enable them to pursue their own interests or escape into the fantasy world of fiction.

AIMS

English at Westbury aims to equip all pupils with the skills to become confident speakers, listeners, readers and writers. Within English lessons the teaching of language skills is explicit rather than implicit, so laying the foundations which can be built on throughout the rest of the curriculum.

We recognise that many pupils entering Westbury have specific learning difficulties in the acquisition of reading and writing skills. Pupils experiencing difficulties are encouraged within lessons to develop their literacy skills, through a combination of literacy focussed tasks, high expectations and additional adult support. Work and/or support given is differentiated to enable all pupils to access the content of lessons and achieve their potential.

OBJECTIVES

The English curriculum should:

Meet the requirements of “Curriculum 2000”, the National Literacy Strategy and External Accrediting bodies.
Enable all pupils to achieve their potential in externally accredited examinations, ie SATS, Entry Level Examinations and GCSE.
Offer realistic opportunities to communicate with a range of audiences, including a specific known audience, an unknown audience and the pupils themselves.
Develop pupils’ ability to speak fluently and appropriately in a range of contexts, adapting their speech for a range of purposes and audiences.
Plan opportunities for pupils to develop the skills of listening, understanding and responding to others.
Plan opportunities for pupils to develop the skills to participate effectively as a member of a group.
Plan opportunities for pupils to develop the skills to participate effectively as a member of a group.
Offer opportunities to participate in a range of drama activities.
Teach how language has developed and is used in a variety of contexts and situations.
Teach pupils how to read for meaning, including extracting meaning beyond the literal.
Enable pupils to understand the “writer’s craft”.
Develop pupils’ ability to research and use information from a range of sources.
Develop pupils’ understanding of all forms of media and moving image texts.
Teach pupils how to draw on their knowledge of linguistic and literary forms when composing their own writing.
Develop pupils’ confidence in writing for a range of purposes, including using different formats and styles of presenting their work.
Encourage pupils to develop their own distinctive styles to enable them to write with commitment and enthusiasm.
Teach pupils to improve and sustain their writing by planning, drafting and redrafting their own work.
Plan opportunities and teach the skills for pupils to be able to critically analyse both their own writing and that of others.
Enable pupils to develop strategies for recognising errors and improving their own spelling.
Teach pupils to write fluently, legibly and when necessary, at speed.
Develop pupils’ ICT skills to enable them to access a wider range of research materials and ways of presenting their own work.