Phillimore Community Primary School
English (incl. Reading, Writing, Phonics and SPaG)
English at Phillimore Community Primary
English gives children the knowledge, skills and confidence to express themselves, understand others and take part fully in school and society. At Phillimore Community Primary, we want every child to develop a strong and positive relationship with language.
We encourage pupils to speak clearly, listen carefully, read widely and write with purpose. Children learn to choose language thoughtfully, adapt it for different audiences and communicate effectively in a range of contexts.
Our English curriculum
Our English curriculum is based on the early years foundation stage statutory framework and the National Curriculum for England for Years 1 to 6. It provides a clear and carefully planned progression in speaking and listening, reading and writing.
We teach children that English is more than a school subject. It helps them share ideas, build knowledge, influence decisions and take part in society. Through English, pupils explore different identities and cultures, listen to a range of viewpoints, respond respectfully and express their own ideas with confidence.
Reading
Through reading, children develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Stories, poems, plays and non-fiction texts introduce pupils to experiences and perspectives that may be different from their own. Reading helps children build vocabulary, knowledge, imagination and critical thinking.
We value reading for pleasure as well as reading to learn. Pupils are encouraged to discuss texts, explain their views, consider different interpretations and support their ideas with evidence.
Reading is taught through a structured approach that includes:
Little Wandle Phonics
Little Wandle Fluency
Whole-class Book Study lessons
These approaches work together to help children become accurate, fluent and confident readers. In phonics, children learn to decode words securely. Through fluency teaching, they develop pace, expression and automaticity. In whole-class book study lessons, pupils explore a wide range of high-quality texts in depth, building comprehension, vocabulary and enjoyment of reading.
Strong foundations
Strong foundations in language, communication and literacy are established from the earliest years. In the early years, children develop vocabulary, listening, conversation and comprehension through stories, songs, rhymes, play and high-quality provision. Adults model language carefully, introduce new words in meaningful contexts and give children regular opportunities to explain, question, retell and respond.
We use Little Wandle for phonics, fluency, spelling and handwriting across the school. Systematic phonics teaching helps children learn to decode words accurately and read with increasing fluency. Alongside this, pupils enjoy a rich range of books, develop their understanding of texts and build a growing bank of vocabulary and knowledge.
Writing
Our writing curriculum helps children become confident, purposeful writers. Pupils learn to write for different audiences and purposes, including to entertain, inform, explain, persuade and express their ideas and opinions.
We follow a carefully sequenced approach to writing, adapted by Phillimore’s Literacy team. Children explore high-quality texts, discuss purpose and audience, build vocabulary, develop ideas through talk and research, and plan, draft, revise, edit and publish their work.
Teachers model the writing process and give pupils time to practise, reflect and improve.
Global Citizenship
Where appropriate, we use a Global Citizenship approach to help pupils make meaningful
links between English and the wider world. This encourages empathy, respect for diversity
and critical thinking. Children may write for real audiences, such as letters to decision-
makers, or prepare speeches on issues that matter to them and their communities.
These opportunities help pupils see how language can inform, persuade, challenge and
bring people together.
Evidence-informed teaching
Our teaching is informed by guidance from the Education Endowment Foundation. We use explicit instruction, clear modelling, purposeful questioning and guided practice to support secure learning. New vocabulary, sentence structures and writing techniques are introduced clearly, explained in context and revisited over time.
We also recognise the importance of disciplinary literacy across the curriculum. Children are taught the vocabulary and language structures needed to access subjects such as science, history, geography and religious education.
Assessment and support
Assessment is used to understand what pupils know, remember and can apply. Teachers identify strengths, misconceptions and gaps, then adapt teaching and provide targeted support where needed. We ensure that all children have frequent opportunities to practise essential skills so that they can read, speak and write with growing confidence and independence.
Our aim
We want every child to read fluently, understand texts and respond thoughtfully. We also want every child to see themselves as a writer. By connecting English with children’s lives, communities and the wider world, we help them communicate with confidence, purpose and respect.
National curriculum and Essentials curriculum links
https://www.chrisquigley.co.uk/resources/books/essentials-full-spectrum-curriculum/
