English

We may be small but together we can make a big difference.

Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.

Malala Yousafzei

At Loscoe C of E Primary School and Nursery, we believe that English opens doors. The ability to read, write, speak and listen confidently enables children to access the whole curriculum, communicate their ideas and understand the world around them.

Our aim is for every child to leave Loscoe as a confident communicator, enthusiastic reader and purposeful writer. We want children to enjoy language, discover the power of books and stories, develop a rich vocabulary and learn how their own words can make a difference.

Our English curriculum reflects our Christian vision, “Our faith can move mountains.” We encourage children to find their voice, listen respectfully to others, persevere when learning is challenging and grow in confidence as readers, writers and speakers.

English is taught explicitly but is also woven throughout our wider curriculum, giving children meaningful opportunities to apply and develop their skills.

Our Intent

During their time at Loscoe, we want every child to:

become a fluent, confident and enthusiastic reader;
develop a lifelong love of books and reading for pleasure;
read widely for enjoyment, knowledge and information;
experience a rich and diverse range of stories, poetry, plays and non-fiction;
develop an increasingly broad and ambitious vocabulary;
write clearly, accurately and creatively for different purposes and audiences;
understand and apply spelling, punctuation and grammar effectively;
communicate ideas confidently through speaking and listening;
listen carefully and respond thoughtfully to others;
participate confidently in discussions, presentations, performances and debates;
use their English knowledge and skills successfully across the curriculum;
recognise the power of words to communicate ideas, inspire others and make a difference.

We recognise that every child's journey is different. Teaching is carefully adapted and scaffolded so that children, including those with SEND or those who need additional support, can access learning, experience success and make progress from their individual starting points.

Our English Curriculum

English at Loscoe brings together several interconnected areas of learning:

Reading

We want our children to become enthusiastic and thoughtful readers who read both for pleasure and to learn. High-quality texts are at the heart of our curriculum, alongside regular opportunities to hear adults reading aloud, discuss books and discover new authors and genres.

Our dedicated Reading page explains our approach in greater detail.

Phonics

Strong early reading begins with secure phonics knowledge. Children are taught phonics systematically through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, with additional support provided to help children keep up and catch up where required.

More information can be found on our dedicated Phonics page.

Writing

We teach children that writing has a purpose and an audience. High-quality texts provide inspiration for writing and children develop the knowledge and skills needed to plan, compose, revise, edit and publish their work.

Children experience a broad range of genres and learn how vocabulary, grammar and punctuation can be used deliberately to create particular effects.

Visit our dedicated Writing page to find out more about how writing develops across the school.

Spelling

Accurate spelling helps children communicate confidently and effectively. Children build upon their phonics knowledge before developing their understanding of spelling patterns, rules and word structures as they progress through school.

Further information is available on our dedicated Spelling page.

Speaking and Listening

Speaking and listening are fundamental to children's development in English and across the curriculum.

We provide regular opportunities for children to:

listen carefully and respond appropriately;
develop and use ambitious vocabulary;
express their ideas clearly and confidently;
ask and answer questions;
explain and justify their thinking;
participate in conversations and discussions;
debate different viewpoints;
perform poetry, stories and drama;
present ideas to different audiences.

We want every child at Loscoe to recognise that their voice matters.

Implementation

Our English curriculum is shaped by our school vision and our commitment to enabling every child to flourish, regardless of their starting point, background or additional needs.

We teach the National Curriculum through a carefully sequenced curriculum in which knowledge and skills build progressively from the Early Years to Year 6.

Across English, we:

place high-quality children's literature at the heart of learning;
provide children with regular opportunities to read, write, speak and listen;
explicitly teach vocabulary;
model high-quality reading, writing and spoken language;
revisit and retrieve previous learning so that knowledge becomes secure;
provide appropriate modelling, scaffolding and challenge;
identify children who require additional support and put timely intervention in place;
provide opportunities for children to apply English skills across the wider curriculum;
assess children's understanding to inform subsequent teaching.

Teachers create purposeful opportunities for children to practise, revisit and apply what they have learned so that children increasingly become independent, confident and reflective learners.

Impact

The impact of our English curriculum can be seen not only in children's outcomes, but also in their confidence, independence and attitudes towards reading, writing and communication.

By the time children leave Loscoe, we aim for them to:

read confidently, fluently and with understanding;
have developed a genuine enjoyment of reading;
talk confidently about books, authors and their reading choices;
write coherently and effectively for a range of audiences and purposes;
select vocabulary deliberately and appropriately;
apply their knowledge of spelling, punctuation and grammar;
communicate confidently and respectfully;
listen to and consider the views of others;
apply their English knowledge throughout the wider curriculum;
have the skills and confidence they need for the next stage of their education.

Most importantly, we want children to understand that reading, writing and communication give them the tools to learn, connect with others and make their own difference in the world.

English Beyond the Classroom

We believe children's experience of English should extend beyond individual lessons.

Throughout their time at Loscoe, children experience opportunities to celebrate and use language in memorable ways. These include opportunities to:

encounter authors and discover new books;
share and celebrate their own writing;
perform poetry;
take part in drama and performances;
read aloud to different audiences;
visit the theatre;
participate in events which celebrate reading and books.

Reading for pleasure is promoted throughout school and adults regularly model the enjoyment that can come from sharing a great book.

English and our wider curriculum

English makes an important contribution to children's wider personal, social, moral, spiritual and cultural development.

Spiritual Development

Stories, poetry, drama and discussion give children opportunities to explore feelings, beliefs, values, hopes and experiences and to reflect upon their own lives and those of others.

Moral Development

Literature provides opportunities to encounter different choices, dilemmas and viewpoints. Children are encouraged to discuss these thoughtfully, respectfully and with empathy.

Social Development

Discussion, collaboration, performance and debate help children learn how to listen to others, articulate their own views and communicate respectfully.

Cultural Development

Through carefully chosen literature, children encounter authors, characters, settings, experiences and perspectives from different cultures, communities and periods of history.

British Values

English provides many natural opportunities to explore the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.

Through stories, non-fiction, discussion and debate, children encounter different viewpoints and learn how language can be used to express opinions appropriately.

They learn to listen respectfully, disagree constructively, justify their ideas and recognise that others may hold views or experiences different from their own.

Equality and Diversity

We want every child to see that stories and voices belong to everybody.

Our curriculum provides opportunities for children to encounter literature written by a diverse range of authors and featuring different people, families, cultures, communities, experiences and perspectives.

Through age-appropriate texts and discussions, children develop their understanding of equality, diversity and respect. Where appropriate, literature also provides opportunities to explore themes connected with the protected characteristics.

Our aim is to help children become curious, compassionate and respectful readers who appreciate both the similarities and differences between people.

Careers and the Wider World

The knowledge and skills developed through English are valuable in almost every career.

Reading, writing, speaking and listening enable people to communicate, collaborate, explain ideas, solve problems and influence others.

English can also lead directly to careers such as:

author;
journalist;
teacher;
lawyer;
actor;
playwright;
poet;
editor;
publisher;
marketing and communications professional;
broadcaster;
politician;
content writer.

Through English, we want children to begin to understand that developing their own voice can open doors to future opportunities.

Supporting Your Child

Reading, talking and sharing stories at home make an enormous difference.

Families can support English development by sharing books together, listening to children read, discussing unfamiliar vocabulary, visiting libraries and encouraging children to talk about the books and stories they enjoy.

Please visit our separate Phonics, Reading, Writing and Spelling pages for more information about how these areas are taught and how you can support learning at home.

Useful Documents and Resources

Our English resources and knowledge organisers can be found below, including:

Useful Apps

Find Out More

If you would like any further information about English at Loscoe, please speak to Miss Davy.