Level

Speaking & listening

Reading

Writing

4

Pupils talk & listen with confidence in an increasing range of contexts. Their talk is adapted to the purpose: developing ideas thoughtfully, describing events and conveying their opinions clearly. In discussion, they listen carefully, making contributions & asking questions that are responsive to others' ideas and views. They use appropriately some of the features of standard English vocabulary and grammar.

In responding to a range of texts, pupils show understanding of significant ideas, themes, events and characters, beginning to use inference and deduction. They refer to the text when explaining their views. They locate and use ideas and information.

Writing in a range of forms is lively and thoughtful. Ideas are often sustained and developed in interesting ways & organised appropriately for the purpose of the reader. Vocabulary choices are often adventurous & words are used for effect. Pupils are beginning to use grammatically complex sentences, extending meaning. Spelling, including that of polysyllabic words that conform to regular patterns, is generally accurate. Full stops, capital letters and question marks are used correctly & pupils are beginning to use punctuation within the sentence. Handwriting  fluent, joined legible.

5

Pupils talk & listen confidently in a wide range of contexts, including some that are of a formal nature. Their talk engages the interest of the listener as they begin to vary their expression and vocabulary. In discussion, they pay close attention to what others say, ask questions to develop ideas & make contributions that take account of others' views. They begin to use standard English in formal situations.

Pupils show understanding of a range of texts, selecting essential points and using inference and deduction where appropriate. In their responses, they identify key features, themes and characters & select sentences, phrases & relevant information to support their views. They retrieve & collate information from a range of sources.

Pupils' writing is varied and interesting, conveying meaning clearly in a range of forms for different readers, using a more formal style where appropriate. Vocabulary choices are imaginative and words are used precisely. Simple and complex sentences are organised into paragraphs. Words with complex regular patterns are usually spelt correctly. A range of punctuation, including commas, apostrophes and inverted commas, is usually used accurately. Handwriting is joined, clear and fluent and, where appropriate, is adapted to a range of tasks.

6

Pupils adapt their talk to the demands of different contexts with increasing confidence. Their talk engages the interest of the listener through the variety of its vocabulary and expression. Pupils take an active part in discussion, showing understanding of ideas and sensitivity to others. They are usually fluent in their use of standard English in formal situations.

In reading and discussing a range of texts, pupils identify different layers of meaning and comment on their significance and effect. They give personal responses to literary texts, referring to aspects of language, structure and themes in justifying their views. They summarise a range of information from different sources.

Pupils' writing often engages and sustains the reader's interest, showing some adaptation of style and register to different forms, including using an impersonal style where appropriate. Pupils use a range of sentence structures and varied vocabulary to create effects. Spelling is generally accurate, including that of irregular words. Handwriting is neat and legible. A range of punctuation is usually used correctly to clarify meaning, and ideas are organised into paragraphs.

7

Pupils are confident in matching their talk to the demands of different contexts. They use vocabulary precisely and organise their talk to communicate clearly. In discussion, pupils make significant contributions, evaluating others' ideas and varying how and when they participate. They show confident use of standard English in situations that require it.

Pupils show understanding of the ways in which meaning and information are conveyed in a range of texts. They articulate personal and critical responses to poems, plays and novels, showing awareness of their thematic, structural and linguistic features. They select and synthesise a range of information from a variety of sources.

Pupils' writing is confident and shows appropriate choices of style in a range of forms. In narrative writing, characters and settings are developed and, in non-fiction, ideas are organised and coherent. Grammatical features and vocabulary are accurately and effectively used. Spelling is correct, including that of complex irregular words. Work is legible and attractively presented. Paragraphing and correct punctuation are used to make the sequence of events or ideas coherent and clear to the reader.

8

Maintain & develop talk purposefully in range contexts. Structure what they say clearly using apt vocab, appropriate intonation & emphasis. Make range of contributions which show that they have listened perceptively & are sensitive to development discussion. Show confident use St Eng in range of situations adapting as necessary

Pupils' response is shown in their appreciation of & comment on range of texts & they evaluate how authors achieve their effects through the use of linguistic structural & presentational devices. Select & analyse information and ideas & comment on how these are conveyed in different texts

Pupils' writing shows the selection of specific features or expressions to convey particular effects and to interest the reader. Narrative writing shows control of characters, events and settings, and shows variety in structure. Non-fiction writing is coherent and gives clear points of view. The use of vocabulary and grammar enables fine distinctions to be made or emphasis achieved. Writing shows a clear grasp of the use of punctuation and paragraphing.

Excep
tional

Select & use structures styles & registers appropriately in range contexts, varying vocabulary & expression confidently for range of purposes. Initiate & sustain discussion through sensitive use of a variety of contributions. Take a leading role in discussion & listen with concentration & understanding to varied and complex speech. Show assured and fluent use of standard English in range of situations & for variety of purposes.

Confidently sustain responses to demanding range of texts, developing their ideas and referring in detail to aspects of language, structure & presentation. Make apt & careful comparison between texts, including consideration  audience purpose & form. Identify & analyse argument, opinion & alternative interpretations making cross-references where appropriate.

Pupils' writing has shape and impact and shows control of a range of styles maintaining the interest of the reader throughout. Narratives use structure as well as vocabulary for a range of imaginative effects, and non-fiction is coherent, reasoned and persuasive. A variety of grammatical constructions and punctuation is used accurately and appropriately and with sensitivity. Paragraphs are well constructed and linked in order to clarify the organisation of the writing as a whole.