Languages, Literacy and Communication at Herbert Thompson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Here at Herbert Thompson Primary school we are looking forward to embracing the new curriculum for Wales. The Language, Literacy and Communication area of learning will develop ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world. Learning about languages and other forms of communication helps pupils participate effectively in education. It teaches them to appreciate and respect the needs and rights of others and helps them create diverse, cohesive and inclusive societies, locally, nationally and globally. Through experiencing, understanding and using languages in Wales, pupils will better understand their own identity, culture, community and society.

 

Through language and literature, pupils will develop a sense of identity. They will be able to articulate, express and represent their own emotions and be equipped to understand the emotions of others. Their sense of belonging will be strengthened; and this together with the development of their communication skills, will make them more confident individuals whose voices can be heard. 

 

Language, Literacy and Communication will develop healthy, confident individuals who can articulate their thoughts and feelings, and interpret those of others, showing respect and developing strong, positive relationships so they can work with others to overcome challenges. They will use languages and literature to access information to support and keep themselves and others safe and well in the real and virtual world. They will understand how to think and engage critically with language and literature communicated in a range of media.

 

Language. Literacy and Communication will develop ambitious, capable learners who become capable communicators. Through meaningful, real life learning experiences and challenges, pupils will develop the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to develop an ambitious attitude to language learning, oracy, literacy, communication and literature.

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The study of English develops children’s abilities to listen, speak, read and write for a wide range of purposes, and to a variety of audiences, and in doing so enables them to use language to learn and communicate ideas, views and feelings.

 

At Herbert Thompson Primary School we aim to develop a love for the English language in its written and spoken forms. We encourage children to develop skills to communicate effectively in speech and writing, to listen with understanding and to be responsive, enthusiastic and knowledgeable readers. We aim to provide an environment for language development, which is stimulating and is characterised by high expectations of success so that the fullest potential of each individual may be realised.

At Herbert Thompson Primary School we use a range of teaching methods, each closely aligned to the topic being used as a stimulus and the skills being developed by the lesson. A mix of whole-class, group and individual teaching is used, and teaching styles vary according to the needs of the pupils. In this way teachers ensure that the pupils perform according to their aptitudes and abilities. All children are taught English in ability groups, set within each year group.

Reading is taught through shared reading activities, Guided group reading and individual reading. We use ‘Letters and Sounds’ and ‘Support for Spelling’ to teach the children spelling progressively.

The school runs the following interventions in order to support children in developing the literacy skills:

   • Eclipse
   • Play to learn
   • Language Link
   • Talking Teddy
   • Speech link
   • SAIL
   • STARS
   • Rapid Readers
   • Sound Discovery
   • Rainbow Readers

 

 Welsh at Herbert Thompson  

 

The use of Welsh language is promoted right throughout the school at Herbert Thompson with all staff encouraging the use of Welsh on a daily basis.

 

In both Foundation Phase and Key stage 2 we have ‘Helpwr Heddiw’ which is a helper of the day for Welsh, their job is to ensure Welsh is being used by children and adults, to initiate conversations and choose games to play that will enhance their language skills.

 

This year, Criw Cymraeg has been set up. This is a team of pupils ranging from Year 1 through to Year 6 that meet regularly to monitor Welsh across the school and to discuss ways in which we can help improve bilingualism at Herbert Thompson. Criw Cymraeg are very proud of their role within the school and are a great help in making sure Welsh is promoted every day within the school.

 

Welsh assemblies take place on a weekly basis in Foundation Phase and form part of the awards assembly each week in KS2. During the assemblies, as well as focusing on the use of Welsh language and praising those who are making the best effort to use Welsh, we also focus on cultural awareness. To be proud of where we live is something we promote here at Herbert Thompson and by focusing on different landmarks, building, icons from Wales we are encouraging children to think about the opportunities around them and the wonderful things we have here in Wales.

 

Herbert Thompson am byth!

 

 

 

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