1. NEW CURRICULUM 2014 From September 2014 the primary school curriculum has had a radical shake-up. The main aim is to raise standards The Government believe that it has been designed to produce productive, creative and well educated students.

2. NEW CURRICULUM 2014 The new curriculum is intended to be more challenging The content is slimmer than the current curriculum It focuses on essential core subject knowledge

3.  “LITERACY” TITLE HAS BEEN REPLACED BY ‘ENGLISH’ The English programmes of study will embody higher standards of literacy. Pupils will be expected to develop a stronger command of the written and spoken word. Through the teaching of phonics, pupils will be helped to read fluently. Stronger emphasis on vocabulary development, grammar, punctuation and spelling (for example, the use of commas and apostrophes will be taught in KS1) Reading is at the core of the whole curriculum with a big emphasis on reading for pleasure both at home and at school. Handwriting, taught, but not currently assessed under the national curriculum, is expected to be fluent, legible and speedy Spoken English is given greater emphasis, with children being taught debating and presentation skills.

4. OUR SCHOOL We already make writing relevant and exciting and ensure it has a clear purpose. From Alien landings to the three bears being interviewed. Styles of writing are taught within the meaningful context of the class topic. Children are more likely to be successful if they know what they are aiming to achieve and therefore we use targets and toolboxes.

5. SPAG Stronger emphasis is on vocabulary development, grammar, punctuation and spelling. Spelling lists are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/f ile/239784/English_Appendix_1_-_Spelling.pdf Right Click Here and Select Open Hyperlink

6. SPELLING In Foundation Stage and KS1 spelling is taught through letters and sounds supported through the characters and actions of jolly phonics. There are 6 phases for your child to complete SPAG is taught discretely within KS1 and KS2 – reinforced through toolkits for writing Phonics continues to underpin all spelling in KS2

7. VOCABULARY Talk4Writing offers an exciting and stimulating way of developing vocabulary from simple sentence openers to complex sentences in year 6 Book talk is a central part of analysing effective language and how the author uses word choice, sentence structure and text organisation to create particular effects.

8. ASSESSMENT The current standard system of assessing and reporting pupil's attainment and progress in all year groups has been changed. National Curriculum Levels e.g Level 2, Level 4b etc have ceased to exist (except in Years 2 and 6 for this year only) There is no nationally agreed new system – schools must assess how pupils are progressing against the expectations in the National Curriculum. http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/assessment/keystage2/b002 08296/ks2-2013

9. WEBSITES FOR PARENTS WISHING TO HELP THEIR CHILD READ FIVE TOP SITES WORDS FOR LIFE This site has lots of tips to get children reading; fun stuff to do; book recommendations; ideas for all ages up to end of KS2. Excellent site. http://www.wordsforlife.org.uk/?gclid=CPmU_4e_57ICFUXHtAodVE8A4w BOOKTRUST This is an extensive site giving tips on how to share books; book lists & recommendations; catering for all ages including adults. Highly recommended. http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/children/how-to-share- books/support-your-childs-reading-journey/ OXFORD OWL Free eBooks; advice and tips for supporting children in KS1 & KS2; lots of games & activities that support reading skills; links to Oxford reading schemes. Definitely worth a look. http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/Reading/

10. THE GUARDIAN An excellent site dealing with all things ‘bookish’ – author interviews; reader reviews; what’s hot and what’s not... Probably most suited for kiddies who already have the reading habit, but a useful site for parents to keep up to date with children’s books. http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site LOVE READING 4 KIDS This site regularly updates its reading lists for specific age groups. It gives synopses, reviews & recommendations. Useful for keeping abreast of what’s popular in children’s fiction. http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/ TIPS FOR SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD’S READING FIRST SCHOOL YEARS Provides a checklist of tips for hearing your child read. http://firstschoolyears.com/literacy/text/resources/readingtips.htm