We are writers, we are readers,
….we are Pilgrim!
Exciting News!!! In 2022. The Pilgrim School are implementing the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme to learn phonics and early reading. Look out for more information in our Zoom Workshop on The Pilgrim School home page! 
Jesus said, “I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)
forever trustworthy,
forever aspiring and adventurous,
forever respectful,
forever thankful,
forever us
… forever Pilgrim.
Our INTENT for English at Pilgrim:
At the Pilgrim School we inspire and establish an excitement for English: "Forever aspiring and adventurous"
Creating personalised knowledge and a skills-based toolkit with our children (including key features of speaking, listening, reading and writing),
we enable English learning through creative, relevant and purposeful application.
Expectations for each year group are underpinned through structured teaching, using our own Pilgrim Progress,
developed through our Pilgrim School identity, vision and the National Curriculum requirements.
"Language provides the foundation of thinking and learning.
Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world."
(National Literacy Trust 2020)
We choose to invest time, to value, and to prioritise English learning,
in order that these fundamental skills (along with our Pilgrim Christian values)
may be applied to enhance every other aspect of the curriculum,
to build our identity and to equip us to flourish in our daily life.
Priorities for Pilgrim children include:
- Reading easily, fluently and with good understanding
- Developing the habit of reading widely, and often, for both pleasure and information
- Acquiring a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar, a knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and speech
- Appreciating our rich and varied literary heritage
- Writing clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting language and style through a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
- Using discussion in order to learn
- Competency in the arts of speaking and listening
- Phonics writing
- Lockdown spelling
- Reggie, our reading dog - we miss you!
- Describe a dream home
- Design a dream home
- Pilgrim School News Report
- Reading skills book
Phonics, Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar at Pilgrim
Our phonics learning using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised follows a detailed and careful progression.
Writing at Pilgrim
Below are the Pilgrim writing genres used across the school. The range of genres are increased each Key Stage to build knowledge and understanding of the conventions of each of these and to allow maturing practice and application of greater acquired skills. From Early Years and emergent writing to accomplished and purposeful pieces, Pilgrims love to write.
At Pilgrim, we use the National Curriculum suggested categories of genres, but encourage our teachers to use their professional judgement to plan inspiring writing opportunities to be relevant and effective, making the most of real-life and cross curricular links. These genres are not ordered, although the writing skills used are cumulative, in order that they might be adapted and personalised for each particular cohort.
Handwriting at Pilgrim
Our Impact in English at Pilgrim:
Teachers complete assessment at many levels in English and these assessments are carried out for a variety of purposes:
- On-going assessment is an informal part of English lessons. The purpose is to review a pupil's previous learning and is therefore used to inform future planning.
- Pilgrim Progress is used as a form of recorded assessment in each of the key English elements.
- Teachers make termly judgements of children’s attainment and progress against year group expectations.
- Parents are informed of children’s progress and targets throughout the year.
- Analysis of whole-school English data to establish strengths and areas for development for whole school focus and target groups
Impact is also measured through:
- Monitoring of teaching, book scrutiny, pupil interviews, Pilgrim progress analysis
- Early learning goals, Phonics screening, KS1 & KS2 English SATs, 11+ English
- Internal, MAT, local authority and regional writing moderation
- Reading café attendance, reading team data, reading rewards data
- Family involvement (book fair, world book day, competitions, workshops)
Children leave The Pilgrim School knowing how to read and how to access information.
They are equipped to move onto their next stage of English learning.
They are building a life-long love of reading and the writing skills to discuss, inform, entertain and persuade.
Their learning is relevant and real to their world - a world in which they can go on to flourish.
We are writers, we are readers, we are speakers and listeners....we are Pilgrim!
Reading Café
Every Tuesday lunchtime, the Pilgrim School hosts the Reading Café where children are able to read to both their peers and volunteer adults. It is aimed to encourage the love of reading and enable the children a quiet space to explore the wonderful world of books! It is loved by the children and is always washed down nicely with a yummy milkshake!
Useful Websites:
https://clubs-kids.scholastic.co.uk/wizard
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/7-11-years/spelling-and-grammar
http://www.fcbg.org.uk/childrens-authors-and-illustrators/
Pilgrim Progress - English
