English

English Curriculum Statement

Intent

At St Augustine’s, our English curriculum is designed to develop pupils into confident, articulate and imaginative communicators who can read fluently, write creatively, and speak with clarity and purpose. We aim to foster a lifelong love of language and literature, equipping pupils with the skills they need to succeed across the curriculum and in life beyond school.

We intend to:

• Ensure pupils develop strong foundations in phonics, reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and writing composition.
• Inspire a love of reading through exposure to a wide range of high-quality texts from diverse authors and genres.
• Enable pupils to write with clarity, creativity and purpose across a variety of forms and audiences.
• Promote confident speaking and attentive listening through structured opportunities for discussion, performance and debate.
• Support pupils in developing their own voice and identity through language.
• Ensure all pupils, regardless of background or need, can access and enjoy English.

Our English curriculum reflects our Gospel Values and supports the development of personal qualities such as empathy, resilience and self-expression, in line with our school motto:
“Unique and United in God’s Love. We let our light shine.”

Implementation

English is taught daily through a systematic and progressive approach that builds on prior learning and supports mastery of key skills. Our implementation includes:

• A systematic synthetic phonics programme in EYFS and KS1 to secure early reading and spelling.
• Daily guided and whole-class reading sessions focused on fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension.
• Exposure to a rich and diverse range of texts, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and culturally significant literature.
• Writing lessons that develop planning, drafting, editing and publishing skills, with clear links to reading and grammar.
• Oracy opportunities embedded across the curriculum to develop spoken language and listening skills.
• Targeted support and interventions for pupils who need additional help, including those with SEND and EAL.

Teachers use high-quality modelling, shared writing and structured talk to support pupils in developing their ideas and refining their language.

Impact

Through our English curriculum, pupils at St Augustine’s will:

• Become fluent, confident readers who can comprehend and analyse a wide range of texts.
• Write effectively for a range of purposes and audiences, using appropriate grammar, vocabulary and structure.
• Speak clearly and confidently in a variety of contexts, demonstrating active listening and thoughtful responses.
• Show enthusiasm for reading and writing, and a willingness to explore and express ideas.
• Be well-prepared for the next stage of their education, with strong literacy skills and a love of language.
   

Assessment is carried out through ongoing formative assessment, pupil voice, and outcomes in books. Teachers track progress against key objectives, and subject leaders monitor provision through planning reviews, book studies, learning walks and pupil interviews.