English

English is taught by class teachers until Years 5 and 6, when lessons are taught by the English specialist teacher. For one of these two years pupils are taught in half-classes which are set according to ability. Extra English support is given where required, throughout the school, by our Learning Support teacher.

From Reception all girls participate in an annual reading progress test. A standardised spelling test is taken by all pupils from Year 1 onwards each Summer Term and Years 1 to 3 also take the Salford Reading Test in the Summer Term. Girls in Year 2 sit an examination in comprehension and composition in the Summer Term; girls in Years 3 to 5 sit such examinations in both the Autumn and Summer terms. Year 6 pupils sit a practice test every two weeks during their final Autumn Term in preparation for senior school entrance examinations.

The Head of Early Years oversees the English curriculum for Nursery and Reception but liaises with the Head of English to ensure that the curriculum is fully integrated. The English curriculum has recently been reviewed and updated alongside the Primary Framework for Literacy.