Why Teach English?

English is a fundamental life skill that enables pupils to communicate effectively, understand the world around them and develop meaningful relationships with others. Through becoming confident readers, writers and speakers, pupils develop their ability to express themselves, think critically and engage with a wider range of perspectives and experiences. By being exposed to high-quality literature, pupils broaden their knowledge and experiences of the wider world outside of our community.

Curriculum Intent

The starting point for English planning is the National Curriculum to ensure that all statutory aspects are met while providing a rich, ambitious and purposeful programme of study. We aim to create confident readers, writers and thinkers who can use language to express themselves and their world around them. Literature and language are at the forefront of our curriculum with high-quality texts providing opportunities for pupils to encounter diverse voices, explore different perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of alternatives experiences. Our text choices are designed to broaden pupils’ knowledge, expand their vocabulary and strength their ability to read, write and speak confidently to prepare them for future steps. We believe that every student deserves access to challenging, age-appropriate literature and the opportunity to engage with texts that inspire, question and empower them.

Curriculum Implementation

  • Students will be taught through whole-class interactive teaching, enabling all to master the concepts necessary for the next part of the curriculum sequence. Where necessary 1:1 interventions will be put in place to support the progress of all students.
  • In a typical lesson, the teacher interacts with all students and challenges them to recall intended learning through a range of questioning techniques and low-stakes quizzing, clear explanation of new ideas which include modelling and shared practice, enabling learning to become more independent and show an understanding and enjoyment of the processes involved.
  • The use of subject specific and ambitious vocabulary allows all pupils to develop their communication skills in both written and oral form. 
  • Key concepts are taught through high quality texts and revisited regularly to ensure fluency and prevent cognitive overload in working memory and enable students to focus on developing their skills.

Curriculum Impact

  • Confident, fluent readers who can understand, analyse and respond to a range of challenging texts.
  • Effective accurate writers who can communicate ideas clearly, creatively and purposefully.
  • Articulate speakers and active listeners who can express ideas confidently and engage thoughtfully with others
  • A rich vocabulary and understanding of language that enables pupils to communicate with precision and sophistication.
  • Critical thinkers who can question, interpret and evaluate ideas, preparing them for success beyond HFS.