Key Stage 1 (KS1) English
Age Range: 5–7 years old
Year Groups: Year 1 and Year 2
Focus and Objectives:
At KS1, the primary goal is to establish a solid foundation in literacy. The curriculum emphasizes:
1. Phonics and Reading:
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Phonics: Learning the relationship between letters and sounds to decode words.
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Reading Skills: Developing fluency and accuracy in reading aloud.
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Comprehension: Understanding and discussing stories, poems, and informational texts.
2. Writing:
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Handwriting: Forming letters correctly and developing neat handwriting.
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Spelling: Learning common exception words and spelling patterns.
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Composition: Writing sentences, short narratives, and recounts.
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Grammar and Punctuation: Using basic grammatical terminology and punctuation marks like full stops and capital letters.
3. Speaking and Listening:
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Oral Expression: Speaking clearly and confidently in front of others.
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Listening Skills: Paying attention and responding appropriately in conversations.
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Drama and Role-play: Participating in performances to enhance understanding of text.
Key Stage 2 (KS2) English
Age Range: 7–11 years old
Year Groups: Year 3 to Year 6
Focus and Objectives:
KS2 builds on KS1 foundations, enhancing literacy skills and introducing more complex concepts.
1. Reading:
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Fluency and Expression: Reading aloud with confidence and appropriate intonation.
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Comprehension: Interpreting themes, characters, and plots in various texts.
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Critical Thinking: Making inferences and predictions based on reading.
2. Writing:
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Spelling and Vocabulary: Learning advanced spelling rules and expanding vocabulary.
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Composition: Writing for different purposes, including narratives, reports, and persuasive texts.
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Grammar and Punctuation: Using a wider range of punctuation and understanding grammatical concepts like conjunctions, adverbs, and verb tenses.
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Editing: Reviewing and improving their own writing.
3. Speaking and Listening:
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Discussion Skills: Engaging in debates and group discussions.
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Presentations: Delivering structured presentations on various topics.
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Drama: Performing plays and reading scripts to develop expression.
Key Stage 3 (KS3) English
Age Range: 11–14 years old
Year Groups: Year 7 to Year 9
Focus and Objectives:
KS3 prepares students for the demands of Key Stage 4 (GCSE level), with a deeper exploration of literature and language.
1. Reading:
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Literary Analysis: Studying classic and contemporary texts, including novels, poetry, and plays (e.g., works by Shakespeare).
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Critical Evaluation: Analyzing authors' use of language, structure, and form.
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Contextual Understanding: Considering historical, social, and cultural contexts of texts.
2. Writing:
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Creative Writing: Crafting imaginative stories, poems, and scripts.
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Transactional Writing: Producing articles, essays, speeches, and reports.
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Technical Accuracy: Emphasizing correct grammar, varied sentence structures, and sophisticated vocabulary.
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Planning and Editing: Organizing ideas logically and refining drafts.
3. Speaking and Listening:
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Formal Presentations: Delivering speeches and participating in formal debates.
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Group Work: Collaborating effectively with peers.
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Listening Skills: Interpreting and evaluating spoken language.
Key Takeaways:
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Progressive Development: Each Key Stage builds upon the previous one, gradually increasing in complexity to develop proficient readers, writers, and communicators.
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Balanced Curriculum: Emphasizes both the technical aspects of language (grammar, spelling) and creative expression (literature, writing styles).
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Holistic Approach: Integrates reading, writing, speaking, and listening to foster overall language proficiency.
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Cultural Exposure: Introduces students to a wide range of texts, promoting cultural awareness and critical thinking.