English
At North West London Jewish Day School, we believe that English and communication are key life skills and that a quality English curriculum should develop children’s love of reading, writing and speaking and listening. Through the English curriculum, we will help children develop the skills and knowledge that will enable them to communicate articulately and effectively through their spoken language and to develop creativity in their written language. This will equip them to become lifelong learners.
English is at the heart of all children’s learning and enables our children to access all areas of the curriculum and helps pupils’ learning to be coherent and progressive.
It is also central to children’s intellectual, emotional and social development allowing them to reflect on their own and others’ experiences, feelings and ideas. Our school values can be seen throughout the subject where we use texts to reinforce tolerance, respect, cooperation, responsibility and positivity.
We believe that Reading is a life skill that every child is entitled to have. Without the ability to read and decode text, so much is inaccessible to a child and later as an adult. We want, not only to inspire children through books, but also to promote a love of reading so that they become lifelong readers. Books act as a gateway to other worlds and stimulate their imaginations, which will, in addition, act as an inspiration in their written work.
At North West, we are determined that the teaching of the English curriculum will be inclusive to all children, inspiring them through an outstanding learning experience, which will enable them to make good progress and leave us as articulate, literate young people, with an enthusiasm for reading.
Phonics
We follow the Bug Club Phonics programme, providing a systematic and consistent approach to the teaching of phonics and early reading. Our book scheme follow that Bug Club as well. Dedicated phonics sessions take place daily and are supported by a range of carefully selected resources. Teaching is sequenced to ensure that children build securely on their prior knowledge and develop the skills needed to decode words accurately and confidently. Regular assessment enables staff to identify gaps in learning and provide timely support, ensuring that children keep up with the programme and make strong progress towards becoming fluent readers.
Spelling
Our approach to spelling is carefully sequenced and aligned with the expectations of the National Curriculum. Children are explicitly taught the spelling patterns, conventions and rules appropriate to their year group, alongside statutory and commonly used words. Spelling is also linked purposefully to vocabulary encountered across the wider curriculum, enabling children to apply their knowledge in different contexts. In the lower school, spelling builds directly upon the phonics knowledge being taught, ensuring a clear and coherent progression from phonics into increasingly sophisticated spelling patterns and rules.
Handwriting
From Reception onwards, we follow the Nelson Handwriting scheme, ensuring a consistent and progressive approach to handwriting across the school. We have high expectations for handwriting and presentation, with dedicated handwriting sessions embedded throughout the school. Children are taught correct letter formation, orientation, size and spacing before progressing towards a fluent and consistent joined style. Through regular practice, clear modelling and consistent expectations across the curriculum, children develop the handwriting skills needed to communicate their ideas confidently, fluently and legibly.
