“I believe that writing is derivative. I think good writing comes from good reading.” - Charles Kuralt
At Holy Cross, it is our intention for English to foster a lifelong love of reading, writing and communication, enabling all pupils to express their thoughts, ideas and emotions clearly, confidently and creatively. Our English curriculum is designed to embed the school values of Kindness, Confidence and Excellence, ensuring pupils develop strong literacy skills while respecting and valuing the voices of others.
We recognise that reading underpins success across the entire curriculum and is fundamental to pupils’ academic achievement and personal development. Through exposure to a wide range of high-quality, diverse and engaging texts, we aim to develop fluent readers who can comprehend, interpret and critically engage with what they read.
Our writing curriculum is inspired by rich, meaningful texts and real-life contexts, enabling pupils to write with purpose and authenticity. We intend for pupils to develop the technical skills of transcription and composition alongside creativity, stamina and an awareness of audience and purpose.
Through discussion, role-play and oral rehearsal, we aim to develop articulate speakers and active listeners who can present ideas respectfully and confidently, preparing them for future learning and life beyond primary school.
Our English curriculum is implemented in line with the National Curriculum and is carefully sequenced to ensure clear progression in reading, writing and spoken language from EYFS through to Year 6.
Reading
- A structured, robust approach to phonics in EYFS and KS1 ensures early reading skills are securely developed.
- Whole-class reading sessions use high-quality, age-appropriate texts to develop fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and inference.
- Pupils are exposed to a broad and diverse range of texts, including classic literature, contemporary fiction, non-fiction and poetry, as well as authors from different cultures and backgrounds.
- Reading for pleasure is actively promoted through classroom book corners, shared reading and regular opportunities to talk about books.
- Writing is taught through high-quality model texts which provide inspiration and clear examples of purpose, structure and language features.
- Pupils are given regular opportunities to write for a range of purposes and audiences, including creative, informative and persuasive writing.
- Grammar, punctuation and spelling are taught both discretely and in context, enabling pupils to apply skills independently.
- Editing and redrafting supports pupils to reflect on and improve their work in pursuit of excellence.
- Oracy is prioritised through class discussion, role-play, debate and drama.
- Pupils are encouraged to listen respectfully, build on the ideas of others and articulate their own viewpoints with increasing confidence.
Our teaching promotes inclusive practice, ensuring all pupils are supported and challenged appropriately, including those with SEND and those requiring additional intervention.
As a result of our English curriculum, our pupils develop secure reading foundations from the early years, enabling them to read fluently, access the wider curriculum and develop a genuine enjoyment of books. This strong emphasis on reading supports pupils’ vocabulary and comprehension and contributes to their confidence as articulate speakers and attentive listeners.
Pupils communicate confidently in discussions, role-play and debates, showing respect for others’ viewpoints and expressing their ideas clearly and thoughtfully.
Pupils demonstrate developing independence and increasing confidence as writers. The use of high-quality texts and purposeful writing opportunities has a positive impact on pupils’ engagement, stamina and use of vocabulary, providing a secure foundation for continued improvement in writing as they move through the school and into secondary education.