Our vision at St. Paul’s is to inspire even the smallest seeds to flourish so that everyone can reach their full potential. At St Paul’s CE Primary School, our intent for the teaching and learning of English is to empower all our students with the necessary skills to become competent and confident communicators. We strive to foster a love for language and literature, enabling our pupils to become articulate speakers, enthusiastic readers, and skilled writers. Our aim is to provide a rich and varied curriculum that promotes progress, curiosity, and creativity, ensuring that every child achieves their potential in English.
Implementation
Our sequence of learning is carefully designed to incorporate cross-curricular learning and writing opportunities to broaden our pupils’ understanding and appreciation of the wider world, and topics that feed each pupil’s imagination, knowledge and interests.
The teaching of reading is designed to develop fluency and oracy unlocking the magic of reading for learning, pleasure and independence. Our pupils are inquisitive learners, whose aspirations, both academic and personal, are encouraged and nurtured.
Language and communication, in all its forms and variations, is promoted as a core skill, with opportunities for children to practise and apply their knowledge and skills woven into all aspects of school life. Learning is designed to enable children to know more and remember more.
The fundamental skill of reading is taught in progression, beginning with systematic phonics in EYFS using the expertise of the Little Wandle Scheme. As pupils’ journey beyond KS1, they read and analyse increasingly complex texts for meaning and pleasure. Reading for information is further supported through our broad curriculum. Reading is high-profile within the classroom and wider school; promoting a curiosity and love of the written word.
Impact
Our well-structured and purposeful approach to teaching and learning English has a significant impact on our pupils. We consistently strive to achieve the following outcomes:
Attainment and Progress: Our pupils consistently achieve and exceed expected levels of attainment in English. They make substantial progress from their starting points, ensuring they are well-prepared for the next stage of their education. Our pupils with SEND are supported to access our English curriculum and make progress at the own level. Bespoke planning is carefully considered to build upon skills and work towards individual SMART targets.
Love for Reading: Through our focus on reading for pleasure, our pupils develop a genuine love for reading. They become confident and enthusiastic readers, with a wide range of reading interests and the ability to comprehend and analyse complex texts.
Effective Communication: Our pupils become confident and articulate communicators, able to express their thoughts and ideas fluently and coherently. They develop a deep understanding of how to engage their audience through a range of speaking and listening opportunities.
Writing Proficiency: Our pupils demonstrate highly developed writing skills across a wide range of genres, showcasing creativity alongside technical precision. We place a strong emphasis on transcription skills and foundational knowledge to ensure pupils are well equipped to succeed. Handwriting is taught precisely through a clearly sequenced progression beginning in Reception, supporting pupils’ gradual acquisition of accurate letter formation, fluency and presentation. As a result, pupils develop a secure command of spelling, punctuation and grammar, enabling them to communicate their ideas clearly, coherently and effectively in writing.
Well-Rounded Learners: The teaching of English at St Paul’s promotes cultural awareness, critical thinking, and empathy. Our pupils develop a deep appreciation for different perspectives and diverse voices, becoming empathetic and responsible members of the community and the world.
Overall, our intent, implementation, and impact in the teaching and learning of English exemplify outstanding practice, ensuring our pupils are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed academically and in their lives beyond St Paul's.
English_Curriculum_in_full.docx
