English

Why we teach English

English is the foundation of all learning. We want children to grow into confident communicators who enjoy reading, writing and sharing their ideas. By exploring stories, poems, information texts and rich language, children learn about different places, people and experiences. English helps children develop imagination, empathy and creativity, and gives them the skills they need to succeed in every subject across the curriculum.

How we teach English

Reading

Reading is at the heart of our curriculum. From the moment children join us, we help them develop a love of books and the confidence to read independently. We follow the National Curriculum and choose high quality, diverse texts so children can explore different experiences and ideas.

Early Reading

In the early years, children learn to read through the Read Write Inc. phonics programme. This teaches them to recognise sounds, blend words and build strong early reading skills. Teachers also read aloud every day, sharing engaging stories that children can enjoy again at home. We check progress regularly and provide extra support when needed, including one to one sessions and resources for families.

Reading beyond phonics

After phonics, children move on to reading lessons that develop deeper understanding. They explore a wide range of texts and learn skills such as predicting, retrieving information and making inferences. Regular assessments help teachers identify strengths and next steps so every child continues to make progress.

Inclusion and Support

We make sure all children receive the support they need to become confident readers. Some continue phonics for longer, while others benefit from programmes such as Fresh Start or Lexia to build fluency and comprehension. Children who need extra practice read regularly with an adult to strengthen their skills.

Writing

Writing is taught step by step so that children gain the skills and confidence to express their ideas clearly. We build strong foundations in handwriting, spelling, grammar and composition, helping every child become a fluent and independent writer.

Composition

Children learn how to plan, draft and improve their writing using high‑quality texts as models. They explore vocabulary, sentence structure and different text types, writing for a range of audiences and purposes. Teachers guide the writing process and give timely feedback, so children develop in accuracy, clarity and independence.

Grammar and punctuation

Grammar and punctuation are taught explicitly and always linked to real writing. Children learn how different choices affect meaning and practise applying new skills in their own work. These skills are revisited regularly and built on year by year.

Inclusion and support

We make writing accessible for all learners. Support may include small‑group teaching, fine‑motor activities, word banks, sentence stems, visual prompts or personalised targets. Children who need additional help receive tailored interventions to strengthen their skills and confidence.

 

 Fundamental skills

Spelling

Spelling starts in Year 1 through the Read Write Inc. phonics programme, where children learn sounds, spelling patterns and common exception words. From Year 2 onwards, children follow a structured daily spelling programme that builds on these routines and introduces new rules and patterns in a clear, systematic way.

Children revisit tricky concepts regularly and practise applying their spelling in everyday writing. We assess spelling frequently and regroup children to ensure they receive the right level of challenge and support. Our approach helps children become confident, accurate spellers who can use their knowledge independently.

Handwriting

Handwriting begins in the early years through daily Read Write Inc. sessions, where children learn correct letter formation using consistent routines, rhymes and fine‑motor activities. This gives them the strong foundations they need for future writing.

As children move into Key Stage 1, they learn to place letters correctly on the line, form capital letters and numbers accurately, and develop control over size and spacing. From Year 3 onwards, children are taught to join their handwriting progressively, aiming for fluent, legible writing across all subjects by the end of Key Stage 2.

We monitor progress closely and provide additional support where needed, such as small‑group teaching, fine‑motor strengthening activities or personalised guidance. Our aim is for every child to write comfortably, confidently and with pride.

Oracy

Oracy is the foundation of confident communication. We teach it explicitly and weave it through everyday classroom practice, so every child learns to speak clearly, listen carefully and share their ideas with confidence.

Teachers model high‑quality spoken language and use simple, structured talk routines - such as talking partners and sentence stems – to ensure all children have the opportunity to speak aloud. These skills are introduced gradually from the early years through to Year 6, helping children learn how to take turns, explain their thinking and respond to others respectfully.

Across all subjects, children use talk to explore ideas, reason, justify, debate and present. Storytelling, role‑play, discussions, problem‑solving in maths and presenting findings in science all give purposeful opportunities to develop vocabulary and communication skills.

We create a positive classroom culture where every child’s voice is valued. Through ongoing observation and gentle guidance, teachers support all children to grow into confident, articulate communicators.

What we want children to learn

We want every child to become a fluent reader, a confident speaker and an enthusiastic writer. Children learn to express their thoughts clearly, choose interesting vocabulary and write for different purposes and audiences. Most importantly, we hope they finish primary school with a love of reading that stays with them for life.