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English

“Inspire, express and succeed through the power of language”

Intent

We believe that every child deserves a rich, engaging English curriculum that fosters a lifelong love of reading, writing and speaking. By providing a vibrant and inclusive environment, we aim for pupils to love coming to school, feel motivated to achieve, and understand that their voice matters. Drawing from our nurturing ethos, we encourage children to think creatively, communicate confidently and grow as independent learners.

Implementation

Children engage with a broad range of purposeful texts – story, poetry, non-fiction and drama – carefully selected to reflect diversity, challenge thinking and spark curiosity.

We deliver strong foundations in phonics, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation in Early Years and Key Stage 1, then build on these skills progressively in Key Stage 2 so that children can write with fluency, accuracy and creativity.

Speaking and listening activities are built into every lesson: from partner discussions and group presentations to drama and performance, helping pupils to articulate ideas, listen respectfully and collaborate.

Writing is purposeful and engaging: children write for real audiences and purposes (e.g., letters, persuasive texts, narratives, poetry, reports) and are supported to express themselves, refine their work and take pride in the final outcome.

Reading for pleasure and for purpose is championed across the school: we nurture a reading culture where each child discovers authors and genres they love, develops comprehension skills and shares their thoughts with others.

Assessment is used to identify strengths and next steps; children are involved in reflecting on their progress and next steps. Provision is adapted to support all learners and challenge the most able so that we ensure everyone thrives.

Impact

By the end of their time at St Columba’s Catholic Primary School, pupils will be confident, articulate and motivated communicators. They will have developed a secure command of English language and literacy, enabling them to access the full curriculum and succeed in broader life. They will value reading, writing and speaking as lifelong skills, and they will carry forward a sense of achievement and self-belief. Our aim is that every child will leave us able to love, learn and grow through language.