English

At Clayton North Primary School, we want every student to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to read, write, speak and listen effectively. Our English program is aligned with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 and informed by the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0. Through our dedicated daily English learning block, students participate in a balanced and integrated program where reading, writing, speaking and listening are developed through purposeful learning experiences.

Our approach reflects the VTLM 2.0 through explicit teaching, carefully sequenced learning, guided practice and opportunities for students to apply and extend their learning independently. Teachers use ongoing assessment and checking for understanding through questioning, observation, student responses and assessment tasks to monitor learning, identify needs and adjust instruction, including the level of support or challenge provided.

Reading

Using high-quality literary and informational texts, students explore how authors communicate ideas through language, text structures and other features. This provides opportunities to develop background knowledge, expand vocabulary and deepen comprehension while engaging with a diverse range of texts.

Our reading instruction is grounded in the Big Six of Reading—oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. These interconnected components are developed throughout primary school, with the focus and complexity of instruction evolving as students’ reading develops. In Foundation to Year 2, students establish strong foundations through a Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) approach. They progress from developing phonological awareness and learning letter–sound relationships to blending sounds and reading words with increasing accuracy and automaticity. Alongside this, students build oral language, vocabulary and comprehension through rich discussion and engagement with quality texts.

From Years 3 to 6, students continue to strengthen their fluency, vocabulary and comprehension while applying their foundational reading skills to increasingly complex literary and informational texts. They develop deeper background knowledge, explore increasingly sophisticated vocabulary and language, make connections across texts, retrieve and interpret information, and analyse how authors communicate ideas. This progression supports students to become increasingly fluent, independent and thoughtful readers who can engage with a wide range of texts and ideas.

Writing

Students draw on their reading experiences to support their development as writers. They learn how to plan, draft, revise and publish texts for a range of purposes and audiences. By studying how authors use language and structure to communicate effectively, students develop the skills to express their own ideas with increasing clarity, creativity and precision. Students also develop their vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation knowledge, enabling them to communicate effectively across a range of contexts.

Speaking and Listening

Speaking and listening are embedded throughout the English block, providing opportunities for students to discuss texts, share ideas, ask questions, explain their thinking and learn collaboratively. These oral language experiences strengthen vocabulary, comprehension and communication skills, while supporting students’ development as readers and writers. Through structured discussions, presentations and collaborative learning experiences, students develop confidence in expressing their ideas and responding thoughtfully to the ideas of others.

Daily Reviews

Daily Reviews provide regular opportunities for students to revisit and practise previously taught knowledge and skills. Using the principles of spaced and interleaved practice, students retrieve important learning from previous lessons and topics, helping to strengthen recall and make connections between new and previously taught content.