English
Our English Curriculum
At St. John with St. Michael's CE Primary School, we believe that every child should develop a lifelong love of reading and discover the confidence to become a successful writer. Language is at the heart of learning, and through high-quality teaching, rich literature and meaningful experiences, we nurture fluent readers, confident speakers and enthusiastic writers.
As James Britton famously said, "Reading and writing float on a sea of talk." We recognise that speaking and listening underpin all learning and provide regular opportunities for children to discuss, question, explain and articulate their thinking, enabling them to become effective communicators.
Early Reading and Phonics
Children begin their reading and writing journey through the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme. This systematic, synthetic phonics programme teaches decoding, comprehension, spelling and early writing through carefully structured daily lessons.
Regular assessment ensures that teaching is closely matched to children's needs, enabling every pupil to make strong progress and develop the confidence and fluency needed to become successful readers. We work closely with parents and carers, sharing resources and guidance to support reading at home and build positive reading habits from the very beginning.
Reading
Reading is at the heart of our curriculum because we believe it unlocks learning across every subject. Once children have become fluent readers, they continue to develop their reading through a curriculum built around high-quality, vocabulary-rich texts that inspire curiosity, deepen understanding and foster a love of literature.
We use Pathways to Read, a mastery approach that immerses children in carefully selected texts while explicitly teaching the comprehension knowledge and skills set out in the National Curriculum. Learning is carefully sequenced so that children revisit and build upon prior knowledge, enabling them to become thoughtful, analytical and independent readers.
Children take part in regular whole-class reading lessons alongside guided and individual reading opportunities. Through discussion, questioning and vocabulary exploration, pupils learn to infer, predict, summarise, retrieve information and evaluate authors' choices with increasing confidence.
Writing
Our writing curriculum is driven by Pathways to Write, a mastery approach that uses high-quality texts as the stimulus for purposeful and engaging writing. Carefully planned units immerse children in rich literature before guiding them through a sequence of learning that develops both creativity and technical accuracy.
The programme provides opportunities for children to explore ambitious vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and language choices before planning, drafting, editing and publishing their own writing. Through regular opportunities to revisit and apply previously taught skills, pupils build confidence, independence and pride in their work.
Where appropriate, meaningful links are made between English and the wider curriculum, allowing children to write across a range of subjects and for real audiences and purposes.
Vocabulary and Oracy
Developing children's vocabulary is central to our English curriculum. Through carefully chosen texts, explicit vocabulary instruction and rich classroom discussion, pupils continually expand their understanding and use of ambitious language.
Talk is woven throughout every English lesson. Drama, oral rehearsal, storytelling and collaborative discussion allow children to develop ideas, justify opinions and rehearse language before writing, ensuring they become articulate and confident communicators.
Our Aim
By the time children leave St. John with St. Michael's, they will be:
- fluent, enthusiastic readers who read widely for both pleasure and purpose
- confident writers who can write accurately, creatively and effectively for a range of audiences
- articulate speakers who communicate with confidence and respect
- equipped with a rich vocabulary that enables them to express themselves clearly
- prepared for the next stage of their education with the literacy skills needed to flourish.
Through our English curriculum, we aim to inspire every child to develop a love of language that will enable them to let their light shine throughout their lives.