At Tree Tops we understand the positive effect that the successful achievement of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills have on life-long opportunities.
Speaking and listening skills underpin all reading and writing, and we believe that by teaching effective communication whether in this way, or through signing, through art or through drama children gain confidence, independence and a clear understanding of their own learning steps.
We use exciting rich stories, often with a familiar setting, high quality information texts, information technology and continual access to on-line learning to stimulate the children’s enthusiasm and motivation to learn important skills.
Reading
As an Academy we have a clear focus on reading and we encourage the children to read every day at home as well as at school.
Guided reading is carried out through a focused ‘reading workshop’ session on a daily basis to enable children to read and understand many different texts. The children love to read and we encourage them to read as much as possible and share their love of books with others in their own classes and across the school. Vibrant reading corners in classes, bookshelves bursting with real books along corridors and a cosy library area all encourage a passion for books and reading. We make every effort to enthuse the children through our own love of reading, and make time to read to the children each day.
The children are exposed to a wide range of text types including a variety of poetry, non-fiction such as instructions, information texts and recounts. With consistent high expectations of all children, we teach an awareness of the importance of the presentation of work and considering sentence structure, punctuation and grammar.
Writing
We see the ability to write effectively as giving each child a ‘toolkit’ which they can use to apply to different writing situations with confidence.
The pupils will learn about writing in a range of styles and the curriculum encourages writing for lots of different purposes that are real and relevant to them.
Writing in a creative and sophisticated style helps the children learn about playing with words, rhyming patterns and the use of ambitious vocabulary.
Please click here for Top Tips for Reading to Children
"The pupil premium funding and sports premium funding are used to good effect." Ofsted 2017
"Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well and make good progress." Ofsted 2017
"Safeguarding is effective. Systems to keep pupils safe are robust" Ofsted 2017
"The curriculum provides good opportunities for pupils to learn across a range of subjects. British values are promoted effectively." Ofsted 2017
"Good teaching in Year 5 and Year 6 ensures that most pupils catch up and make expected progress in a range of subjects by the end of key stage 2." Ofsted 2017
"Pupils’ personal development, behaviour and welfare are good. Pupils behave well and have good manners. They demonstrate a strong understanding of tolerance and respect." Ofsted 2017
"Leaders, governors and the trust have a strong understanding of the school’s effectiveness. Their recent actions are ensuring that the school is improving quickly." Ofsted 2017
“Pupils speak highly about the quality of education they receive. They are very loyal to the Academy, each other and the staff. They appreciate the support they receive to do their best. Pupils’ conduct around the Academy and in class is excellent.”
“Teachers provide highly detailed and effective feedback on a regular basis so that pupils know what they need to do to improve. Pupils regularly respond to marking to ensure they improve upon their understanding. Pupils are now given more opportunities to complete their work fluently and at greater length. Good progress is strongly evident across the books surveyed.”
“Books are well presented and demonstrate that pupils take pride in their work. They contain a varied number of tasks and activities for pupils.”
“Systems to keep pupils safe are rigorous. They feel safer because behaviour has improved and there are good opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe in different situations.”
“As a result of the senior leaders’ determination and attention to detail, the quality of education has improved, aspirations have been raised and staff morale is high.”
