English

Learning how to read, write and communicate in English is given a very high priority at HPAO. The National Curriculum provides the framework around which the teaching of reading, writing, speaking and listening is planned.

We celebrate reading and children love to read here at HPAO. We work hard to equip children with the decoding and comprehension skills necessary to unlock reading. This begins on our first say of Reception and is relentlessly followed up every day until our children leave Year 6.

English Curriculum

At Harris Primary Academy Orpington, we aim to develop confident, ambitious, and resilient writers who take pride in their work. Our English curriculum fosters enthusiasm for writing, empowering children to express themselves creatively, purposefully, and with precision. We ensure that our curriculum is tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students while encouraging each child to achieve their highest potential as a writer. 

Our writing curriculum is rooted in high-quality texts that are carefully selected to inspire and engage our students. These texts serve as models for writing and are designed to spark curiosity, stimulate imagination, and expand vocabulary. The choice of texts progresses through the key stages, ensuring that children are exposed to a wide range of literary genres, authors, and styles. This approach allows pupils to build on prior knowledge, developing their understanding of complex themes and structures as they move through the school. 

Reading Homework

All children at our school are to read for 10-30 minutes at home every evening. Children should have a Phonics book or Banded Book matched to their reading ability and also a book that children have self-selected for their own pleasure. Children have Reading Records, which they fill in every time they read. Prolific readers earn Bronze, Silver or Gold Reading Badges.

Phonics

We believe at Harris Primary Academy Orpington that phonics should be taught in an engaging and systematic way, using a multisensory approach. The Read Write Inc programme enables us to do this. In order to accelerate pupil’s progress we deliver workshops that specifically target parents and carers. This enables them to support their children at home by listening to their children read their home reading book daily, practising reading and spelling of high frequency words.

The Read Write Inc Programme

The Read Write Inc. programmes combine into a complete literacy programme rooted in the new national curriculum for children aged five to eleven. They are designed to stimulate and challenge children’s thinking and create enthusiastic, life-long readers and writers.                

Please follow this link to learn more about the read write inc programme.  http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/read-write-inc-programmes/