English at Sowing Seeds.

English provides a plethora of opportunities for communication, reading and writing embedded across all subjects and cross-curricular projects and activities throughout Sowing Seeds.

A whole-school embedded reading and promoting literacy approach, with all staff working to find opportunities for children to read in context and connect with the wider world is important.

Daily and/or weekly “reading for pleasure and purpose” or phonics sessions are embedded and added to each student’s timetable within PSHE, and students are encouraged to choose books and other
reading materials based on their individual interests (see additional information in our Reading for Pleasure and Purpose policy).

Formal English sessions are broken down and assessed in 3 skills areas:

• Speaking, listening and communication
• Writing
• Reading

These areas give students a balance of literacy skills to help them progress to further education, training or work. Other areas include:

• Grammar
• Spelling
• Presentation
• Handwriting
• Creative writing
• Formal writing

Students work at their own level, ensuring that progress is measured on an individual basis and any gaps in learning can be addressed by the teacher or with additional support from their learning mentor. A student’s learning activities and progress is recorded and monitored as a daily narrative to show their progress in a range of areas via Learn Trek.

Students on a full time timetable will access up to five dedicated English sessions per week.

At Key Stage 4, students have the option to be entered for GCSE English Language or English Functional Skills (exam based) qualification or a separate pathway option to include ASDAN English Life Skills qualification (portfolio based) depending on their level of need.