English at KS1

The National Curriculum for English is statutory in all maintained, mainstream schools up to and including key stage 4. An appropriate version of the curriculum is used in maintained special schools. Key Stage 1 (KS1) covers years 1-2, children aged 5-7 years.

English at KS1 is divided into three main strands:

• Speaking and listening
• Reading
• Writing

Which all build on prior learning of:

Speaking and listening

• Using language to recreate roles and experiences
• Attentive listening and response
• Interacting with others in play and to get things done

Reading

• Knowledge of initial and final sounds and short vowel sounds, in words
• Stories, poems and other texts
• Recognition of some familiar words

Writing

• Differentiating between print and pictures
• The connection between speech and writing
• The symbolic nature of writing, the sounds and names of letters and how to write them

In English at KS1, children work in the following areas of knowledge, skills and understanding:

Speaking: pupils should speak clearly, fluently and confidently to different people

Listening: pupils should listen, understand and respond to others

Speaking and listening includes:

• Group discussion and interaction for which children should join in as members
• Drama for which children should be able to participate in a range of activities

Children should also understand standard English and language variation for different circumstances and for different listeners. (Standard English is the variety of English that is generally acknowledged as the model for the speech and writing of educated speakers in both formal and informal contexts).

Reading pupils should:

• Read with fluency, accuracy, understanding and enjoyment
• Be able to read for information
• Develop understanding of fiction, poetry and drama
• Be aware of the different types of texts (to read with greater accuracy and understanding)

Writing: pupils will use knowledge and skills in composition, planning and drafting, punctuation, spelling, handwriting and presentation, standard English and language structure.

These pages show the challenges that children with these impairments may encounter and how provision can be made to ensure inclusion.

• Autism spectrum disorder focussing on Asperger’s syndrome
• Physical impairment
• Visual impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Dyslexia
• Communication difficulties

You might like to look at:

• English in P Levels 4-8
• English in Key Stage 2