Intent: We Are Grammar Gurus!                                               

How we get our children to be grammatically correct speakers and writers, who have a rich knowledge and understanding of the grammatical language required for each year group.  

Grammar Statement Of Intent    At St. Thomas’, we understand how important it is for children to leave Primary school with a high level of grammatical knowledge so that they can make informed choices in their speech and writing. We instil the passion for children to be ‘Grammar Gurus’. As ‘Grammar Gurus’ the children can improve their work to ensure it is grammatically sound, speak grammatically correctly and use their knowledge to provide grammatically correct writing. We have therefore created a carefully thought out curriculum to ensure the grammar journey our pupils take with us is a successful one and prepares them for the next stage of their education.

Grammar is important! Grammar names the types of words and word groups that make up sentences not only in English but in any language. As human beings, we can put sentences together even as children—we can all do grammar. But to be able to talk about how sentences are built, about the types of words and word groups that make up sentences—that is knowing about grammar. Knowing about grammar offers a window into the human mind and into our amazingly complex mental capacity.

People associate grammar with errors and correctness but knowing about grammar also helps us understand what makes sentences and paragraphs clear, interesting and precise. Grammar can be part of literature discussions when we closely read the sentences in poetry and stories. Knowing about grammar means finding out that all languages and all dialects follow grammatical patterns.

Implementation

The Curriculum For Each Year Group Contains:

• The basic knowledge and skills our children must acquire throughout the year
• The grammar requirements for the year
• Grammar knowledge organisers 

Implementation Of Our Grammar Curriculum is Whole School

• I say, you say for grammar terms used across the school

• Modelling of correct grammar when speaking
• Grammar to be taught both explicitly and discretely

At St. Thomas’, Grammar has been carefully designed for progression through each year group. Each year group has clear objectives, and a knowledge organiser which details what children need to learn in each year group and the key vocabulary, which must be taught and learnt.

Impact

The impact of our approach to grammar means that our pupils learn the vocabulary of technical grammatical terms as well as the knowledge and skill to use them in everyday speech and writing. Pupils will speak grammatically correct English. They will self-correct and correct each other when they make errors. Pupils will create grammatically sound pieces of writing. They will be able to dissect sentences, explain the role of each part and back it up with other examples. Our pupils are ready for the next stage of their grammar journey.  Assessment: Children’s oral and written work