English – Reading
What are we aiming for?
We place reading at the heart of our curriculum. We aim to develop fluent, confident readers who not only understand what they read but also develop a lifelong love of reading. Through exposure to high-quality texts from a diverse range of authors and cultures, we seek to broaden pupils’ horizons, deepen their understanding of the world, and enrich their vocabulary.
Our reading curriculum aims to develop children who:
- Read fluently and with understanding across a wide range of genres.
- Develop a rich and varied vocabulary.
- Engage with texts critically and thoughtfully.
- Appreciate the value of both fiction and non-fiction in building knowledge and empathy.
- Understand the importance of reading for learning, wellbeing, and enjoyment.
How do we achieve this?
We follow a Mastery approach to reading through the Pathways to Read programme. This structured scheme builds skills progressively through repetition and application, using rich, engaging texts that reflect a wide range of voices and experiences.
Key features of our approach include:
- Weekly reading lessons using high-quality texts.
- A strong focus on vocabulary development and comprehension strategies.
- Regular opportunities to read across the curriculum, particularly in Humanities and Science.
- A commitment to promoting non-fiction reading to support knowledge acquisition and critical thinking.
- A whole-school culture that celebrates reading, including author visits, book events, and reading challenges.
Online safety and digital literacy are also supported through reading digital texts and understanding online content critically.
What difference is this making to our pupils?
Our reading curriculum is helping children become confident and enthusiastic readers who enjoy exploring a wide variety of books. They develop stronger vocabulary and comprehension skills that support their learning across all subjects. By engaging with stories and information from different cultures and viewpoints, pupils gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and develop empathy for others. Reading also helps children relax and build their imagination, making it an important part of their wellbeing and lifelong learning.
English – Writing
What are we aiming for?
Our writing curriculum is designed to develop confident, capable, and creative writers. We aim to equip children with the skills to write clearly, accurately, and imaginatively for a range of purposes and audiences. Writing is seen not only as a key academic skill but also as a powerful form of self-expression and communication.
We aim to develop children who:
- Write with confidence, fluency, and purpose.
- Use a wide and ambitious vocabulary.
- Understand and apply grammar and punctuation effectively.
- Write in a variety of genres, adapting style and tone appropriately.
- Edit and improve their work through reflection and feedback.
How do we achieve this?
We use the Pathways to Write programme, which aligns with Pathways to Read, ensuring meaningful connections between reading and writing. Each unit is built around a high-quality text and includes opportunities for children to explore language, structure, and purpose before applying their learning in extended writing tasks.
Our approach includes:
- A focus on grammar and vocabulary development within context.
- Opportunities to write across the curriculum, particularly in Humanities and Science.
- Use of a wide range of stimuli—images, video, drama, trips, and visitors—to inspire writing.
- Teaching of the full writing process: planning, drafting, editing, and publishing.
- Real-life and purposeful writing opportunities to engage and motivate learners.
What difference is this making to our pupils?
Our writing curriculum helps children become confident and enthusiastic writers who enjoy expressing their ideas clearly and creatively. They learn to choose words carefully and use grammar correctly to make their writing interesting and easy to understand. Pupils become skilled at writing for different reasons, whether to tell a story, share information, or persuade others. By reflecting on their work and using feedback, children improve their writing over time and take pride in what they create. These skills support their learning across all subjects and prepare them well for the future.