Literacy

Literacy Overview 

Intent

At FreshSteps, our intent is to provide high-quality learning experiences that develop pupils’ skills in both transcription (spelling and handwriting) and composition (articulating and structuring ideas in speech and writing). Pupils will learn to plan, revise, and evaluate their writing effectively. They will develop the ability to write fluently, spell words accurately, and understand the relationship between sounds and letters. Our goal is to nurture pupils' composition skills, enabling them to form, articulate, and communicate their ideas coherently for different audiences and purposes, while demonstrating a growing awareness of vocabulary and grammar.

We also aim to encourage pupils to develop fluent, legible, and, eventually, swift handwriting. Literacy holds a prominent place in education and society, and a high-quality literacy education will empower pupils to speak and write fluently, enabling them to communicate their ideas and emotions effectively. Through reading, pupils have the opportunity to grow culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Literacy is essential for full participation in society, and those who do not develop the skills to read, write, and speak confidently risk being left behind.

Implementation

The Literacy curriculum at FreshSteps fosters a lifelong love of language and communication. Through our teaching, we instill an appreciation for our rich and varied literary heritage, setting high standards for language and literacy. From the early stages of phonics in Year 1 to sustained writing in various genres in Key Stage 2, pupils are taught the skills necessary to express themselves both verbally and in written form.

We provide opportunities for pupils to demonstrate their speaking skills through role play, class assemblies, and festive performances. Pupils learn literacy skills through high-quality children's texts that inspire, engage, and empower them to express their thoughts and ideas creatively.

Reading and writing are viewed as essential life skills, and we believe every child is entitled to master them. To this end, we offer daily high-quality literacy lessons and frequent opportunities for writing across the curriculum. Speaking and listening skills are emphasized to help pupils articulate their ideas clearly. Writing is continuously refined through self, peer, and teacher assessments, with pupils given opportunities to edit and improve their work.

Spelling skills are developed using a phonics-based approach aligned with the National Curriculum for Literacy, and pupils are taught to maintain neat, consistent handwriting. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are taught according to statutory requirements.

Early writing instruction begins with teaching the five key concepts about print: that print has meaning, can serve different purposes, is read from left to right and top to bottom, and includes the names and parts of a book. This foundation supports early mark-making and letter formation as pupils progress in their phonics learning.

At FreshSteps, we tailor lessons and assessments to meet the individual needs of our pupils, ensuring they make measurable progress.

Impact

By the end of their time at FreshSteps, pupils will have developed a strong command of the written word, with a broad vocabulary that they can confidently use across the curriculum. They will spell accurately, use correct grammar, and be able to write clearly and coherently, adapting their language and style for a range of contexts, purposes, and audiences. Our goal is for pupils to be well-prepared for the secondary curriculum, equipped with the necessary literacy skills to succeed and participate fully in society.