At Rush Green Primary School, we know that a good understanding of a wide range of vocabulary supports success across the whole curriculum. Improving children’s vocabulary is a whole school priority. We want all our children to acquire a wide vocabulary and gain an excellent understanding of words.

At the beginning of lessons, children are shown key words related to their learning to discuss and activate their prior knowledge. The learning environment supports vocabulary development with key words, images and contextualised examples displayed around their classrooms. Vocabulary is a key component of our curriculum. It is regularly referred to throughout all interactions.

We provide opportunities for the children to encounter vocabulary through high-quality texts, through Destination Reader and Guided reading lessons, independent reading and by being read to. Other opportunities to develop vocabulary are taught through conversations, modelled writing, direct teaching, assemblies, and cultural capital prospects via encounters on trips with experts and/or performances or workshops which enhance the curriculum.

This year, in order to further promote a rich vocabulary for our children, each subject leader has identified 12 key words, for each year group that they want children to know, understand and use well.  These words have been carefully selected and are explicitly linked to each curriculum area, from EYFS through to Year 6. Many more words are introduced each year but these 12 words have been identified as the most crucial words to learn during that particular school year. 

Our intention is that by the end of their primary education, all children will have an excellent understanding of at least 1000 subject specific words, are using these words in their speech, reading and writing and have developed a ‘word consciousness’ to help them understand academic vocabulary as they move into Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Click on the links below to see the Rush Green key word vocabulary for each Subject area: