Our English curriculum is underpinned by Ready Steady Write, an evidence-informed writing programme that places high-quality, language-rich texts at the heart of learning. The carefully sequenced curriculum enables pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become successful, independent writers. Each unit follows a clear learning journey, allowing children to immerse themselves in quality literature, develop their vocabulary and understanding, and build the skills needed to write for a range of purposes and audiences. The programme is fully aligned with the National Curriculum and supports clear progression from Reception through to Year 6.

Writing is taught through a structured sequence of Immerse, Analyse, Plan and Write, with regular opportunities for speaking and listening, oral rehearsal, shared writing and independent application. Grammar, punctuation and spelling are taught explicitly within meaningful contexts, ensuring pupils understand how authors make deliberate choices and can apply these skills confidently in their own writing.

Alongside our writing curriculum, we place a strong emphasis on developing fluent, confident readers. Daily reading lessons develop comprehension, vocabulary and oracy, while reading for pleasure is actively promoted through carefully selected class texts, well-stocked reading areas and regular opportunities to share and discuss books.

In Reception and Key Stage 1, we teach early reading through a systematic synthetic phonics programme, ensuring pupils develop secure decoding skills and a love of reading from the very beginning of their school journey. As pupils progress through school, they continue to develop fluency, comprehension and a rich vocabulary, enabling them to access the wider curriculum and become lifelong readers.

Reading

Our reading curriculum is supported by Ready Steady Read Together, a high-quality whole-class reading programme that develops fluent, thoughtful and enthusiastic readers. Built around carefully selected, high-quality fiction, non-fiction and poetry, the programme explicitly teaches the key reading skills of vocabulary, retrieval, inference, prediction, explanation and summarising through a carefully sequenced curriculum. It is fully aligned with the National Curriculum and ensures clear progression in reading from Year 2 to Year 6.

Each reading unit follows a consistent sequence of Explore, Teach, Practise and Apply, enabling pupils to revisit texts, discuss their ideas, develop rich vocabulary and deepen their understanding through purposeful talk and teacher modelling. Regular opportunities for fluency practice, collaborative discussion and comprehension activities help children become confident, reflective readers who can think critically about what they read.

In Reception and Year 1, early reading is taught through our systematic synthetic phonics programme, providing children with the essential decoding skills needed to become successful readers. As pupils progress through school, they continue to build fluency, comprehension and a love of reading through high-quality shared texts and engaging reading experiences.

Reading for pleasure is at the heart of our curriculum. We encourage pupils to develop a lifelong love of books through carefully chosen class novels, inviting reading environments and regular opportunities to recommend, discuss and celebrate reading. We also value the important partnership between home and school, encouraging families to read regularly with their children to foster confidence, enjoyment and success as readers.

Spelling

Our spelling curriculum is supported by Ready Steady Spell, a carefully sequenced programme that enables pupils to develop secure spelling knowledge and apply it confidently in their writing. Fully aligned with the National Curriculum, the programme provides clear progression in spelling from Year 2 to Year 6, ensuring that pupils build on prior learning and develop an increasingly secure understanding of spelling patterns, rules and conventions.

Lessons follow a structured sequence that allows pupils to investigate spelling patterns, explore the meaning and origin of words, and practise applying new learning in a range of contexts. Through regular retrieval practice, word investigation and purposeful application, pupils develop both accuracy and confidence, enabling them to make informed spelling choices in their independent writing.

Alongside discrete spelling lessons, spelling is reinforced across the wider curriculum and within daily writing opportunities. Pupils are encouraged to edit and proofread their work, apply taught spelling patterns independently and develop a growing understanding of morphology, etymology and vocabulary. This approach helps children become accurate, confident writers who can communicate their ideas effectively.