English

Our English curriculum equips children with the tools to communicate effectively, think critically, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. Through a rich, ambitious, and inclusive English curriculum, we work in unity to ensure that every child develops the skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. We nurture a love of literature and storytelling, equipping children with the knowledge and confidence to embrace opportunities both within and beyond the classroom.

Our approach enables children to see themselves reflected in texts while also opening windows into the lives, cultures, and experiences of others. In doing so, we encourage empathy, respect, and understanding, preparing pupils to seek positive transformation in the world.

We teach year group appropriate spellings daily from Year 2, following a bespoke progression document; children are encouraged to understand the root meanings of the words and the pattern of letters to further support their learning. Children are expected to apply these words into their writing with confidence and accuracy.

Handwriting is taught daily with a clear progression document, ensuring that children are taught letter formation and joins at age appropriate points. Teachers have high expectations of the children’s presentation and children are expected to embed their handwriting skills and accuracy in all subject writing. 

Grammar is taught daily and is planned so that it can be directly applied to the writing lesson with liked outcomes. 

Children from FS, Year 1 and into Year 2 follow the Little Wandle Scheme for the teaching of phonics and reading. This is taught daily and is a highly structured, highly effective programme that supports our youngest children to read and write. 

Reading for comprehension and for pleasure are taught and planned for daily. Books and texts chosen are well thought out, challenging and offer the children the opportunity to embrace the love of reading.

Our English curriculum equips children with the skills to communicate effectively, think critically, and engage with the world around them. Through a rich, ambitious, and inclusive approach, we ensure every child develops reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills while nurturing a love of literature and storytelling. Children see themselves reflected in texts and are introduced to diverse lives and cultures, fostering empathy, respect, and understanding.

Phonics and early reading are taught daily through the Little Wandle programme from FS to Year 2. Spelling, grammar, and handwriting follow clear progression documents, taught daily and applied across the curriculum to secure accuracy and high standards of presentation. Reading for pleasure and comprehension is prioritised daily through carefully chosen, challenging texts that inspire a lifelong love of reading.

As a result of our ambitious and inclusive English curriculum, children leave our school as confident, fluent readers and writers who can express themselves with clarity and creativity. They demonstrate secure phonics knowledge, enabling them to decode and comprehend texts with increasing independence. Pupils apply accurate spelling, grammar, and handwriting consistently across all subjects, and their writing shows stamina, imagination, and purpose. Our children develop a deep love of reading and an appreciation for a wide range of literature. They can talk enthusiastically about the texts they encounter, making connections between stories, themes, and cultures. They see themselves reflected in literature and are respectful and empathetic towards experiences that differ from their own. Through high expectations, clear progression, and consistent teaching, gaps are narrowed, barriers are removed, and outcomes are high for all pupils. Children in KS1 will pass the phonics screening check, achieving 32. At least 66% of children will achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and maths by the end of KS2.

'Today a reader, Tomorrow a leader'   Margaret Fuller