At our school, we aim to create a genuine love for the English language and literature through a varied and engaging curriculum.
We offer a range of lessons that cover the essential parts of the English language, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Our curriculum includes a broad exploration of both fiction and non-fiction texts, giving students the chance to delve into different genres and styles. Through the study of classic and modern literature, learners are encouraged to analyse characters, themes, and narrative techniques, helping them enhance their understanding and enjoyment of stories.
To strengthen understanding, we organise sessions that immerse students in real-world contexts related to their studies. These could include drama performances, or visits from local authors and poets, all designed to inspire curiosity and a love for storytelling.
Additionally, we focus on skills days that concentrate on grammar and sentence construction. These sessions provide targeted instruction and practice, helping students refine their writing techniques and develop their ability to create clear and engaging texts.
In summary, our English programme is all about providing students with a well-rounded understanding of language and literature, equipping them with the skills to communicate confidently and creatively in a changing world.
Reading
At The Globe Primary Academy we use the Oxford Reading Tree scheme of books from Reception to Year 2.
We also use other fiction and non-fiction books to broaden children's understanding, interest and enjoyment of reading from Reception to Year 2 and across Key Stage 2.
Accelerated Reader
At The Globe Primary Academy, we enhance reading done in school lessons with an online programme called Accelerated Reader.
Accelerated Reader (or AR) is used by pupils from Years 2 – 6. AR is a computer program that helps to develop your child’s independent reading. It works in quite a simple way: your child will pick a book to read at their own level and when they have finished reading it they will take a short quiz regarding the book on the computer. Passing the quiz is an indication that your child has understood what they have read and so helps to develop their reading skills and their comprehension or understanding of the book.
All of our books in school have been labelled and put into colour bands that will further help guide your child in choosing a book. One of the best parts about using Accelerated Reader is that your child can choose their own books to read, rather than having one assigned to them. This will hopefully make reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can choose books that are interesting to them and not necessarily part of a reading 'scheme'.
Star reading is used to determine your child’s reading level. It is a computer based reading assessment program that uses computer adaptive technology. Questions will continually adjust to your child’s responses. If your child’s response is correct, the difficulty level is increased. If they cannot answer a question or answer incorrectly, the difficulty level will be reduced. The test uses multiple choice questions and takes approximately 10 minutes. Your child will normally complete a Star reading test every half term.
A ZPD is the range of books that will challenge a child without causing frustration or loss of motivation. Your child will receive a ZPD (or reading range) after taking the Star reading test. It is important for your child to read with a high degree of comprehension and within their ZPD.
Book levels represent the difficulty of the text. The levels range from 0.5 – 13.5. Books are chosen based on the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) range recommended for each pupil by Star reading.
Every book that has an AR Reading Practice Quiz is given a points value. AR points are based on the length of the book (number of words). Pupils earn a percentage of points according to how well they pass the quiz.
How can I find further information?
At the start of the year parents and carers will be sent user names and passwords normally in the autumn term. You can use this to log on and monitor your child’s progress through the 'home connect' website, including seeing which books your child has read. Please note this is for you to use, pupils cannot take AR quizzes at home.
If you do not yet have a user name and password or have misplaced yours, please contact the School Office via the Contact Us page.
Further information of the National Curriculum taught in Years 1 to 6 can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum