Writing & SPaG at Firfield Primary School

As a school, we embed the teaching of spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) in our daily English lessons as well as teaching discrete sessions of SPAG. We believe that spelling, punctuation and grammar are an essential part of learning and communication. 

At Firfield, children receive a stimulating and enriching experience in English, developing the skills necessary to master the English curriculum. Through high-quality teaching, well planned and structured lessons, we ensure that the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum 2014 are met alongside its aims:

• to promote high standards of language and literacy
• equip pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written language
• develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.

Punctuation and Grammar

A crucial part of this learning process is allowing children the opportunity to explore how different elements of SPAG are used in the real world. Therefore, we encourage children to identify where authors have used it and consider why and how it helps them as a reader.  The children particularly love reading different types of texts and perhaps identifying where punctuation and grammar have not been used correctly.  Terminology is introduced from an early age so that children become confident and successful and we use the National Curriculum appendixes to ensure the clear progression of grammar and punctuation across the school.

We place a huge emphasis on the continuous consolidation of the terms children need to understand, in order to allow them to meet their specific, age-related expectations (in line with the National Curriculum). To aid children’s progression in this important Literacy area, pupils receive regular, relevant homework tasks relating to their learning of SPAG.

Therefore, in order support this process, please find (below) a guide to SPAG. We hope that this will assist with your child’s learning at home and help to make sense of some of the terminology they may be using.

Spelling

The school is currently reviewing its teaching of spelling.

Children have regular, engaging spelling lessons which aim to enhance their ability. Spelling is also built into our teaching of writing and is focussed on across the curriculum. 

The focus of our is on the teaching of spelling, which embraces knowledge of spelling conventions, patterns and rules; but integral to the teaching is the opportunity to promote the learning of spellings, including statutory words, common exceptions and personal spellings.

Moreover, in Key Stage 2, children are expected to spell the words outlined in the spelling appendix 1 below. They will become familiar with these words over the course of their time in Years 3 to 6 and may bring them home to rehearse and learn, using the ‘look, say, cover, write, check’ approach. Other spelling tasks relate to learning rules, sounds and/or common exception words. Children may be asked to complete specific activities relating to learning a certain rule or perhaps writing words in a context, to aid their understanding of meaning.