Curriculum Intent: 

Our first priority for children, is the ability to speak in line with their peers nationally, so that they can start their journey with us towards becoming confident and effective communicators. We foster a love of reading for pleasure; children who read fluently and comprehensively who can express preferences and opinions about the texts they read. All children have access to a wide range of text types, genres and authors to enable them to make informed opinions about their favourites. Through enjoyment of high-quality texts, we expose our children to a wide range of vocabulary so that they able to decipher unfamiliar words and then use them when speaking and writing, both informally and formally. We aim to equip children with the ability to write with imagination, confidence and accuracy, for a variety of purposes and audiences, whilst developing their own individual flair. We teach our children to write with grammatical accuracy and be able to apply spelling patterns correctly, using a neat handwriting style.

Reading

We nurture a love for books and reading, as it unlocks the world.

The reading books are banded by the Bookband system, using a range of authors and companies books. Children move through the colours and receive a certificate for each level to identify what they can now do and what are their next steps.  When they achieve a level the children are awarded a book, so by the time they leave the school the children have a 20 book library to keep and treasure.

An example of a reading certificate, this is given in assembly and parents are sent the details through Marvellous Me.

There is a reading jungle containing the banded books that the children choose in the centre of the school. In addition there is an age appropriate collection of non-banded fiction and non-fiction books in each class.  

Each Key Stage has a dedicated non-fiction library which they can explore at any time to expand their interests and

There are daily opportunities to read at school in 1:1, small and large group situations.  

Each class has a daily class book time.  Younger children select from their class libraries, Years 2 to 6 have a different class novel each half term.  See the class learning curriculum for details of this half term's book.

Parent/carers are expected to listen and discuss reading with their child at least three times a week , working through certificate targets.

PiXL Reading - Parent Newsletter - Spring 2025

Handwriting

Step 1 Children learn to form the single letter (using the Little Wandle shaped e.g. a in the shape of the astronaut's head) in pencil - expected by the end of Reception Year , if not before.   Step 2 Children are consistent with the height and width of a letter and learn to add in lead in and out it, using a pencil.  Using the school method of sky, grass, ground for placement on and below the line. This is expected by the end of Year 1, if not before.

Step 3 When the child is then joining pairs of letter and doing Step 2, they are awarded a pen licence and can use a school pen (their engraved fountain pen is ordered at this point). This is expected by the end of Year 2 , if not before.   Step 4 Children write more and more letters together until they can write in a joined fluid script, when they are awarded their fountain pen.   Children move through the stages at their own pace, but by Year 3 it is our intention that all children are able to write in joined script. These steps are adapted for any child with a medical conditions or dyslexic tendencies, that affect their physical dexterity.

Ink Colours

The school colour is dark blue ink.  There is a different ink pen colour for each term which children receive for excellent handwriting and presentation skills.   Termly ink colours are : Autumn Term - Orange, Spring Term - Green and Summer Term - Sky Blue. 

Equipment

a) Children write in pencil, modified to their need e.g. chunky pencils with grips.

b) When the children achieve their Pen Licence: Children write in a school pen, modified to their need e.g. different types to allow child to write well. Left handed pens are provided as standard.

c) When children present their work well, in fluent script, they are awarded an engraved fountain pen, in the  colour of their choice. 

Phonics

We are passionate about spelling at Ash Grange as this is the gateway to reading and writing.  Scroll down this page to see the programmes for different age groups.  

Children are taught to play with and understand sounds from their early years throughout primary school.  We use the revised Little Wandle scheme, which teaches children sounds, digraphs and tricky words so that they have the phonics and word recognition knowledge and skills to read and write.  

Nursery, Reception and Year 1 are following it from the beginning of their relevant year. This year Year 2 are using it for any gaps that have arisen due to loss of learning time from Covid interruptions in Year 1.  Children in higher years will only be using Little Wandle if they have a significant SEN need and it will be identified as an intervention on the IPP that the Classteacher shares with parents/carers.

Dear Parents/Carers, 

We have been reviewing the impact of our spelling programme (Spelling Book) on progress over the last 2 years and seen that the children are making progress but not rapid enough so we have sought an alternative and found Spelling Shed.

There is a full programme of teaching and learning that we will use in lessons over the school week and then there is a homework side to consolidate the learning from the week.   The homework is a game-based tool,  where children practise their spellings in a fun, interactive way.  From today this is part of their weekly homework provision to be completed between Friday and the following Thursday alongside Mathletics, Reading  and Times Tables Rockstars.

Your child will need to complete the games (between 5 and 8 depending on age) set by their teacher each week but can continue to play beyond this to earn points for their avatar! They can select the level of games to meet their need - but they will earn more points for more challenging levels!

Your child will given their login information and they can access Spelling Shed online here: https://play.edshed.com/en-gb/login. The website can be accessed using a computer, phone or tablet. There is an optional app that can be purchased but this is not required. I have attached a Parent Guide to this email to support you to use Spelling Shed at home.

At this point in the year Year 6 only, will have this as an optional extra (but highly beneficial), in addition to their existing spelling homework books. 

Thank you for supporting your child's learning at home.