The primary aim of our English curriculum is to ignite a passion for reading, writing, and communication among our pupils, equipping them with the essential skills to succeed in their educational journey and in life beyond school. We strive to foster a love for literature by exposing children to a diverse range of texts, thereby enriching their vocabulary, fostering creativity, and enhancing their critical thinking skills.

Intent

Vision and Aims

• To cultivate a love for reading and writing, empowering students to become confident and enthusiastic readers and writers who engage with a diverse range of texts. This vision fosters a lifelong passion for literacy.
• To equip pupils with essential literacy skills that foster effective communication, critical thinking, and creativity, preparing them for lifelong learning and future success. This aim ensures that students are prepared for the demands of the modern world.
• To promote cultural awareness and appreciation through exposure to a variety of literary genres and authors, reflecting diverse perspectives and experiences. This approach enriches students’ understanding of different cultures and viewpoints.
• To ensure that every child, regardless of their background or ability, has access to a high-quality English curriculum that challenges and inspires them to achieve their full potential. This commitment to equity ensures inclusivity in learning.

Knowledge and Skills Focus

• Development of reading comprehension skills through explicit teaching of strategies such as predicting, questioning, and summarising, aligned with the National Curriculum’s expectations for reading. This focus enhances students’ analytical skills.
• Mastery of writing skills, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling, through structured lessons that incorporate the writing framework and provide opportunities for creative expression. This ensures students can communicate effectively.
• Enhancement of spoken language skills through discussions, presentations, and collaborative activities that encourage articulate expression and active listening. This promotes confidence in verbal communication.
• Understanding of literary elements and devices, enabling students to analyse texts critically and appreciate the craft of writing. This deepens their engagement with literature.

English – Planning a unit of writing.

• Outcome – what do you want the children to write at the end?
• Lessons will be how you are going to help them to achieve this.
• A suggested plan. Each lesson will begin with a grammar blast, which will include the features of grammatical skills required for the end outcome of the unit of writing.

Presentation and Structure

Across all year groups there is an expectation of a consistent and legible approach towards the presentation of written work. At St Mary’s, we view presentation as the final stage of the communication process. Our intent is to ensure that every pupil develops a fluent, legible, and consistent handwriting style that reflects their pride in their work. We believe that high standards of presentation reduce cognitive load for the reader and allow the writer’s ideas to be the central focus. We aim for automaticity: where the physical act of writing is so well-rehearsed that it does not impede the creative flow of composition.

Implementation: Structural Standards.

The "Clean Page" Protocol: * Dates and Titles: Must be underlined with a ruler. In KS2, the long date is used in English and the short numerical date in Mathematics.

• Mistakes: We foster a 'growth mindset' regarding errors. Mistakes are not erased or scribbled; they are crossed out with a single, neat horizontal line using a ruler.
• Margins: Pupils are taught to respect the margin as a boundary for structural clarity, utilizing it only for question numbers or teacher-led coding.
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Curriculum Progression

• A comprehensive progression framework is established that outlines clear learning objectives and outcomes at each key stage, ensuring continuity and coherence in learning from Early Years through to Year 6.
• Endpoints at each stage include:
  • Key Stage 1: Basic reading fluency, foundational writing skills, and introductory comprehension strategies.
  • Key Stage 2: Advanced reading comprehension, mastery of writing conventions, and critical analysis of texts.

Cultural Capital and Wider Development

• The curriculum broadens horizons by introducing students to a rich tapestry of literature from various cultures, enhancing their understanding of the world and fostering empathy. This exposure is vital for developing global citizens.
• Connections to wider personal development are made through projects that link literature to real-world issues, encouraging students to reflect on their own experiences and aspirations. This promotes critical thinking and personal growth.

Inclusion and Accessibility

• The curriculum is designed to be ambitious for all students, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities. This commitment to inclusion is essential for fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Adaptations are made through differentiated instruction, scaffolding, and targeted interventions while maintaining high expectations for all learners. This ensures that every student can achieve their potential.

Key Priorities

• Implementation of a robust writing framework that prioritises the development of writing skills across all year groups, ensuring coherence and progression. This framework supports structured writing development.
• Initiatives over the past five years focus on igniting a passion for reading through author visits, book clubs, and themed reading weeks, fostering a vibrant reading culture. These initiatives create excitement around literacy.
• Integration of evidence-based research into teaching practices to enhance pedagogical approaches, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning outcomes. This commitment to research informs effective practice.
• Continuous professional development (CPD) for staff to enhance subject knowledge and pedagogical skills, promoting a culture of lifelong learning among educators. This investment in staff development leads to improved student outcomes.

Implementation

Teaching Approaches and Pedagogy

• Explicit Instruction: Direct teaching of reading and writing strategies, ensuring clarity in skill acquisition. This supports the development of foundational literacy skills.
• Collaborative Learning: Group activities that promote discussion and peer feedback, enhancing spoken language skills and critical thinking. This approach fosters a supportive learning community.
• Literature Circles: Small group discussions around selected texts, encouraging deeper engagement and comprehension. This method promotes a love for reading through shared experiences.
• Cross-Curricular Links: Integrating English with other subjects, such as history and science, to provide context and relevance to literacy learning. This approach enhances engagement and understanding.
• Active Learning: Incorporating hands-on activities and creative projects that allow students to express their understanding in diverse ways. This promotes engagement and retention of knowledge.

Curriculum Delivery Structure

• The curriculum is sequenced to build upon prior knowledge, with clear links between units of work to ensure coherence. Each term focuses on specific themes that integrate reading, writing, and spoken language.
• Lesson structures include a clear introduction, guided practice, independent tasks, and reflection, ensuring that all students are actively engaged in their learning.
• Timetabling allocates sufficient time for English instruction, with daily reading sessions and dedicated writing workshops to reinforce skills and promote fluency.

Assessment Approaches

• Formative Assessments: Regular checks for understanding through observations, quizzes, and peer assessments to inform teaching and identify gaps in knowledge. This ongoing assessment supports responsive teaching.
• Summative Assessments: End-of-term assessments that evaluate student progress against curriculum objectives, providing a clear picture of achievement and areas for improvement.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Constructive feedback is provided regularly, focusing on strengths and areas for development, which encourages a growth mindset and motivates students to improve.

Resources and Learning Environment

• A diverse selection of quality literature, including contemporary and classic texts, is made available to students, fostering a love for reading and broadening cultural perspectives.
• Technology, such as interactive whiteboards and educational software, is used to enhance learning experiences and provide access to a wider range of resources.
• The learning environment is optimised for English through well-organised reading corners, writing displays, and collaborative workspaces that encourage creativity and engagement.

Staff Development and Expertise

• Regular CPD sessions focus on best practices in teaching English, including workshops on the writing framework and strategies for fostering a love of reading. This ensures that staff are well-equipped to deliver high-quality instruction.
• Monitoring systems, including lesson observations and peer reviews, are established to support continuous improvement in teaching quality.
• Collaborations with local libraries and literacy organisations enhance provision and provide additional resources and expertise for staff and students.

Supporting All Learners

• Differentiation Strategies: Tailored instruction that considers individual learning needs, including varied tasks and resources to challenge all learners appropriately.
• Scaffolding Approaches: Gradual release of responsibility, where initial support is provided, followed by opportunities for independent practice, ensuring all students can succeed.
• Intervention Approaches: Targeted support for students who require additional assistance, including small group interventions and one-to-one tutoring, ensuring that all learners make progress.

Impact

Knowledge and Understanding Evaluation

• Regular Knowledge Checks: Use of quizzes and oral assessments to gauge understanding of key concepts and vocabulary, ensuring alignment with curriculum intent.
• Student Reflections: Encouraging students to articulate their learning through journals and discussions, providing insights into their understanding and engagement.
• Reading Comprehension Assessments: Standardised assessments to evaluate students’ ability to understand and analyse texts, ensuring they meet expected outcomes.
• Writing Samples: Collection of student writing over time to assess growth in skills such as grammar, punctuation, and coherence.

Skills Development Measurement

• Skills Assessment Methods: Use of writing portfolios and reading logs to track progress in writing and comprehension skills, providing clear indicators of development.
• Progression Indicators: Assessment data is analysed to identify trends in student performance across key stages, ensuring that all learners are progressing appropriately.
• Peer and Self-Assessment: Structured opportunities for students to assess their own and peers’ work, promoting reflection and understanding of skill development.

Formative Assessment Impact

• Assessment informs teaching by identifying gaps in knowledge, allowing for timely interventions and adjustments to instruction to meet student needs.
• Intervention triggers are established based on assessment data, ensuring that students receive support when necessary to prevent falling behind.
• Data Tracking Systems: Utilisation of digital platforms to collect and analyse formative assessment data, enabling teachers to monitor progress effectively.

Summative Assessment and Outcomes

• Key summative assessment points are scheduled at the end of each term, providing a comprehensive overview of student progress and achievement.
• Outcomes data is analysed to inform curriculum planning and identify areas for improvement, ensuring that the curriculum remains responsive to student needs.
• Standardised Testing: Participation in national assessments to benchmark student performance against wider educational standards.

Wider Impact Indicators

• Approaches to measuring cultural capital include student surveys and reflections on literature studied, assessing their understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives.
• Engagement and progression are evaluated through participation in reading initiatives and projects, ensuring that students are actively involved in their learning journey.
• Pupil Voice Surveys: Regular collection of student feedback on their experiences in English, providing insights into their attitudes and engagement.

Quality Assurance and Curriculum Evaluation

• Systems for monitoring curriculum effectiveness include regular reviews of assessment data, lesson observations, and feedback from students and parents.
• Curriculum review processes involve stakeholder input, ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant and effective in meeting the needs of all learners.
• Annual Curriculum Review Meetings: Scheduled discussions among staff to evaluate the curriculum’s impact and make necessary adjustments based on evidence and feedback.

Through our structured approach to the intent, implementation, and assessment of our English curriculum, we consistently ensure that our pedagogical practices are rooted in high-quality teaching and learning, producing well-rounded, confident, and capable communicators ready to face the challenges of the world beyond the classroom.

Handwriting

Intent

Vision and Aims

• To cultivate a love for handwriting that fosters creativity and self-expression in every student, ensuring they take pride in their written work.
• To develop legible and fluent handwriting skills that enhance communication and support academic achievement across all subjects.
• To create a consistent and structured handwriting curriculum that aligns with the Martin Harvey Handwriting Scheme, promoting high standards and clear expectations for all learners.
• To ensure all students, regardless of their starting point, make measurable progress in their handwriting skills, contributing to their overall literacy development.

Knowledge and Skills Focus

• Students will learn the correct formation of letters, ensuring they understand the importance of grip, posture, and pencil control.
• They will develop fluency in handwriting, enabling them to write at speed without compromising legibility.
• Students will be taught to apply their handwriting skills across various contexts, including creative writing, note-taking, and formal assessments.
• The curriculum will incorporate the principles of the National Curriculum, ensuring that handwriting is integrated into daily literacy lessons and supports overall writing development.

Curriculum Progression

• Key Stage 1: Focus on letter formation, basic joins, and developing a comfortable grip. Endpoints include the ability to write legibly in print and begin cursive writing.
• Key Stage 2: Emphasis on fluency, consistency, and the application of handwriting in different writing tasks. Endpoints include the ability to write in a fluent cursive style across subjects.
• Key Stage 3: Preparation for secondary education with a focus on refining handwriting style and speed, ensuring students are equipped for more complex writing tasks.

Cultural Capital and Wider Development

• The handwriting curriculum will expose students to various writing styles and historical contexts, enhancing their understanding of the significance of handwriting in different cultures.
• Students will engage in projects that connect handwriting to art and design, fostering creativity and appreciation for the aesthetics of written language.
• The curriculum will support personal development by encouraging students to express their thoughts and ideas clearly, preparing them for future academic and career opportunities.

Inclusion and Accessibility

• The handwriting curriculum will be designed to be ambitious and accessible for all students, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Adaptations such as the use of assistive technology, modified writing tools, and tailored interventions will be implemented to ensure every student can achieve their handwriting goals while maintaining high expectations.

Key Priorities

• Consistency in teaching handwriting across all year groups, ensuring a unified approach that aligns with the Martin Harvey Handwriting Scheme.
• Regular assessment and feedback mechanisms to monitor progress and inform teaching strategies, ensuring that all students are supported in their handwriting development.
• Professional development for staff to enhance their expertise in teaching handwriting, incorporating evidence-based research and best practices.
• Focus on engagement and motivation through creative handwriting activities that connect to students’ interests and real-world applications.

Implementation

Teaching Approaches and Pedagogy

• Direct instruction and modelling of handwriting techniques to ensure students understand the correct methods from the outset.
• Use of multi-sensory approaches, including tactile activities and visual aids, to cater to different learning styles and enhance retention.
• Implementation of regular handwriting practice sessions that are integrated into daily literacy lessons, promoting consistency and routine.
• Encouragement of peer feedback and self-assessment to foster a growth mindset and develop students’ ability to critique their own work.

Curriculum Delivery Structure

• The handwriting curriculum will be sequenced to build upon prior knowledge, with clear links made between handwriting and other areas of literacy.
• Timetabling will allocate specific times for handwriting practice, ensuring it is a regular part of the school day and not an afterthought.
• Curriculum time will be structured to allow for both focused handwriting lessons and opportunities for application in other subjects.

Assessment Approaches

• Formative assessments will be conducted regularly to monitor student progress, including observations, peer assessments, and self-reflections.
• Summative assessments will be scheduled at key points to evaluate overall handwriting development and inform future teaching strategies.
• Feedback mechanisms will include written comments, verbal feedback, and opportunities for students to discuss their progress with teachers.

Resources and Learning Environment

• Specific resources such as high-quality handwriting workbooks, visual aids, and digital tools will be utilized to support student learning.
• The learning environment will be optimized for handwriting practice, with designated areas for focused writing activities and access to necessary materials.

Staff Development and Expertise

• Ongoing professional development opportunities will be provided for staff to deepen their understanding of effective handwriting instruction and assessment.
• Monitoring systems will be established to ensure consistent implementation of the handwriting curriculum across all classes, with opportunities for peer observations and collaborative planning.

Supporting All Learners

• Differentiation strategies will include tailored instruction, flexible grouping, and targeted interventions for students who require additional support.
• Intervention approaches will be implemented for students who struggle with handwriting, including one-on-one support and the use of specialized resources.

Impact

Knowledge and Understanding Evaluation

• Observational Assessments: Regular observations of students during handwriting lessons to assess their understanding of letter formation, grip, and posture.
• Written Reflections: Students will complete reflective journals documenting their handwriting progress and challenges, allowing teachers to gauge comprehension of concepts.
• Peer Assessments: Structured peer review sessions where students assess each other’s handwriting based on clear criteria, fostering collaborative learning and self-awareness.
• Benchmark Reviews: Periodic reviews of student work against established benchmarks from the Martin Harvey Handwriting Scheme to ensure alignment with curriculum intent.

Skills Development Measurement

• Progress Tracking: Use of a skills checklist to monitor students’ development in letter formation, fluency, and application across subjects, with specific indicators for each key stage.
• Portfolio Assessment: Collection of student handwriting samples over time to demonstrate progression in skill development and application in various contexts.
• Fluency Assessments: Timed writing exercises to evaluate students’ speed and legibility, providing quantitative data on fluency improvements.
• Cursive Writing Evaluations: Specific assessments focused on the transition from print to cursive writing, ensuring students meet the endpoints outlined for each key stage.

Formative Assessment Impact

• Feedback Loops: Regular feedback sessions where teachers discuss assessment results with students, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, thus informing instructional adjustments.
• Gaps Identification: Analysis of formative assessment data to identify common gaps in understanding, prompting targeted interventions for specific student needs.
• Responsive Teaching: Use of real-time assessment data to adapt lesson plans and instructional strategies, ensuring that teaching is responsive to student progress and needs.
• Reflection Opportunities: Structured opportunities for students to reflect on feedback received and set personal goals for their handwriting development.

Summative Assessment and Outcomes

• Key Assessment Points: Scheduled summative assessments at the end of each key stage to evaluate overall handwriting proficiency and inform future curriculum planning.
• Standardised Testing: Incorporation of external assessments where applicable to benchmark student outcomes against national standards.
• Data Analysis: Systematic analysis of outcomes data to identify trends in handwriting proficiency across cohorts, informing curriculum adjustments and resource allocation.
• Celebration of Achievements: Recognition of student progress through certificates or showcases, motivating students and reinforcing the value of handwriting skills.

Wider Impact Indicators

• Cultural Capital Measurement: Evaluation of student engagement in handwriting-related projects and their ability to articulate the significance of handwriting in various contexts through presentations or exhibitions.
• Engagement Surveys: Regular surveys to assess student attitudes towards handwriting and their perceived value of the skill in relation to personal and academic development.
• Transition Tracking: Monitoring student progression to secondary education, focusing on their preparedness in handwriting skills for more complex writing tasks.
• Parental Feedback: Gathering feedback from parents regarding their children’s handwriting progress and engagement, providing a holistic view of impact beyond the classroom.

Quality Assurance and Curriculum Evaluation

• Monitoring Systems: Establishment of a robust monitoring framework to evaluate the effectiveness of handwriting instruction, including lesson observations and student outcome reviews.
• Curriculum Review Processes: Regular curriculum reviews involving staff, students, and stakeholders to ensure the handwriting curriculum remains relevant and responsive to the needs of the school community.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Implementation of structured feedback channels for students and staff to contribute insights on handwriting instruction and curriculum effectiveness, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Professional Development Impact Assessment: Evaluation of the effectiveness of staff training on handwriting instruction through student outcomes and teacher self-assessments, ensuring ongoing enhancement of teaching practices.