Key Stage 1

Reading

Phonetics & Letter Identification
Our reading course for younger children begins by identifying areas of weakness and offers tuition in phonics, practising skills such as phonics (by identifying, blending and segmenting sounds), letter identification, word patterns and sight words as recommended by the National Curriculum.

Vocabulary & Comprehensive Skills
The course builds upon this foundation by developing vocabulary, comprehension skills and accuracy of words in order for students to engage in books and learn to love reading. Advice is also given on books to encourage progress in reading as well as enjoyment.

Writing

We will help the young student to write their letters and numbers and practice until they feel confident. From there we will help them form words. Writing skills will develop alongside reading and recognition of words. We will also introduce parts of speech and encourage actual pieces of writing, with sentences punctuated with capital letters, full stops, question marks and exclamation marks.

Key Stage 2

Reading

We will help your child develop their reading skills by encouraging them to read a variety of books and offer advice as to what books to read at home.
We will examine texts from a number of sources taken from fiction, non-fiction and poetry and look at structure, language and character. We will also help the student develop inference skills and aid them as to the best ways to answer questions. This will prepare them for Key Stage 2 SATS and will provide a foundation for Key Stage 3.

Writing

Creative & Informative Writing
Writing skills are developed by encouraging children to write using resources from books, the internet, the surroundings as well as the students’ own interests to inspire and motivate a personal response. Week by week the foundation will be built on and the children will gradually increase in confidence and enthusiasm as they find they can produce well written, imaginative and structured work. Written tasks will include creative writing, different formal styles and poetry and will prepare them well for assessment tests, including SATS.

Grammar & Punctuation
Sentence structure and punctuation forms part of the writing programme and will be taught through the writing itself as well as through specific worksheets and interactive games. This will include simple, compound and complex sentences, connectives and parts of speech.

Spelling
A specific programme is followed to help children learn to spell using phonics, decoding and spelling patterns. This will cover National Curriculum Key stage lists, phonics, including frequency and difficult words.
For older children an analysis is made of each child’s individual needs and a programme followed to allow students to catch up with their peers by developing phonics, vocabulary and comprehension skills. The course also engages students in a variety of fiction, non-fiction and poetry to inspire them to read and develop a love of books as well as become proficient in writing.

Catch up Programme
This is a special course aimed at those children who find themselves behind their peers in reading and writing. An analysis is made of each child’s individual needs and a programme followed to allow students to catch up with their peers by developing phonics, vocabulary,spelling, writing and comprehensive skills. The course also engages students in a variety of fiction, non-fiction and poetry to inspire them to read and develop a love of books as well as become proficient at reading.

Key Stage 3

Assessment tests determine individual programmes to deal with any weaknesses in reading and writing.

Stepping stones to success in Writing

Firstly we ensure all students have the basic foundation upon which to build. Then we help the student to gain confidence in punctuation, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, planning and writing styles, including informative, creative and poetry.

Stepping stones to success in reading and comprehension

We study a variety of texts, including poetry, informative and creative texts and use a number of strategies to develop comprehension skills. We discuss the writer’s purpose, viewpoint, text structure and language and teach the student how to answer questions with confidence using point, evidence and explanation. These lessons build confidence and prepare the young person for exams and lay a secure foundation for GCSE English.

GCSE & A-Level English Language / English Literature

To prepare students for GCSE and A Level, we aim to develop their skills in both reading and writing.

Stepping stones to success in writing

Firstly we help the student to gain confidence in punctuation, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, planning and writing styles, including informative, creative and poetry. Practice is given in writing essays and weaknesses are pinpointed.

Stepping stones to success in reading

We study a variety of texts, including poetry, informative and creative texts and use a number of strategies to develop comprehension skills. We discuss the writer’s purpose, viewpoint, text structure and language and teach the student how to answer questions with confidence using point, evidence and explanation.The teacher works with the student to give them help as required, including studying specific literary books until the student has sufficient knowledge and understanding.