English

Welcome to our English section of the website. English is at the heart of our curriculum. Proficiency in English not only lays the foundation for independent reading and comprehension but also serves as a gateway to all other subjects. Our pupils engage in daily independent reading and dedicated lessons, enabling them to fully grasp the material they encounter. With a consistent focus on grammar, punctuation, and spelling, we ensure that pupils can seamlessly integrate these skills into their writing. Additionally, our weekly drama sessions led by a specialist drama teacher foster confidence and enhance public speaking abilities, preparing our pupils to communicate effectively in all areas of life. Join us in nurturing a love for English and its integral role in a well-rounded education.

Subject Leader - Laura Grogan

Curriculum Intent

English at Longton Primary School

Intent

At Longton Primary School, our intent is to provide a broad, balanced and inclusive English curriculum that enables all pupils to become confident readers, writers and effective communicators. In line with the National Curriculum for England, we aim to foster a love of reading and writing while ensuring that pupils develop the essential literacy skills required for academic success and later life.

We place a strong emphasis on early reading, recognising it as the foundation for accessing the wider curriculum. Through the systematic teaching of phonics using Animaphonics in EYFS and KS1, children develop secure decoding skills and early reading fluency. As pupils progress, we focus on developing deeper comprehension skills through structured approaches such as VIPERS in KS2, enabling children to understand, interpret and evaluate a wide range of texts.

Our curriculum is ambitious and inclusive. We are committed to meeting the needs of all learners, including pupils with SEND, those eligible for Pupil Premium and higher-attaining pupils. Through high expectations, effective tracking, reasonable adjustments and targeted support, we ensure that all pupils are challenged appropriately and supported to make good progress from their starting points. We also promote diversity through the texts we study and the writing opportunities we provide, ensuring pupils are exposed to a wide range of cultures, experiences and perspectives.

Curriculum Implementation

Implementation
Reading -

In EYFS and KS1, early reading is taught through Animaphonics, a systematic synthetic phonics programme fully aligned with the National Curriculum. Daily phonics lessons develop children’s ability to decode, blend and segment sounds, with lessons adapted to meet the needs of all learners. Children complete the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, and targeted intervention is provided for pupils who require additional support.

Reading progress across the school is assessed using PM Benchmarking from EYFS to KS2. This assessment considers both reading accuracy and comprehension and identifies each child’s reading book band. Pupils are provided with a reading book matched to their band to take home and are encouraged to read daily to develop fluency, confidence and enjoyment.

In KS2, guided reading sessions focus on the VIPERS framework, developing vocabulary, inference, prediction, explanation, retrieval and summarising skills. These sessions are supported by Literacy Shed+, which provides high-quality texts and structured comprehension activities. Termly reading check-up tests from Year 1 to Year 6 are used to monitor progress, identify gaps in learning and inform future planning.

The progress of SEND pupils, Pupil Premium pupils and higher-attaining pupils is carefully tracked through ongoing assessment and pupil progress meetings. Reasonable adjustments are made where appropriate, including adapted texts, pre-teaching of vocabulary, additional adult support and alternative ways of recording responses. Targeted interventions are implemented to ensure all pupils are supported and challenged effectively.

Writing -

Writing is taught using Literacy Shed, following a book-based approach that includes both high-quality texts and engaging film units. These units are carefully mapped to the National Curriculum writing objectives, ensuring progression in composition, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. Pupils are given frequent opportunities to write for a range of purposes and audiences, supporting creativity, independence and confidence.

Lessons are planned to include scaffolding and modelling to support pupils who need additional guidance, while higher-attaining pupils are challenged through greater depth tasks, higher-level vocabulary and extended writing opportunities. A strong emphasis is placed on inclusion and diversity, enabling pupils to explore a wide range of authors, genres and perspectives.

Children complete independent writing tasks twice each half term in yellow writing books. These are used by teachers to assess progress, identify next steps and inform future teaching, as well as to support moderation across the school.

Spelling -

Spelling is taught through Spelling Shed, which builds progressively from phonics knowledge into spelling rules, patterns and high-frequency words, in line with National Curriculum expectations. Lessons support all learners through regular practice, revision and application of spelling in independent writing. Targeted support is provided where needed, and higher-attaining pupils are challenged to apply spelling rules accurately and independently.

Handwriting -

Handwriting is taught using Nelson Handwriting, with two dedicated handwriting lessons each week. A consistent cursive style is used across the school and is embedded in all areas of learning to promote fluency, legibility and pride in presentation. Reasonable adjustments are made for pupils with additional needs, including alternative resources or tools where appropriate.

Curriculum Impact

Impact
As a result of our well-sequenced and inclusive English curriculum, pupils develop secure phonics knowledge and become fluent, confident readers who can apply a range of comprehension strategies independently. Outcomes in the Phonics Screening Check reflect strong early reading provision and effective intervention.

Pupils demonstrate clear progression in writing, producing work that shows increasing accuracy, structure and creativity. Spelling and handwriting standards improve consistently, enabling pupils to communicate their ideas clearly and confidently. Through regular assessment and effective tracking, all pupils, including SEND, Pupil Premium and higher-attaining pupils, make good progress from their starting points.

Pupils leave Longton Primary School as articulate, enthusiastic readers and writers, well prepared for the next stage of their education and equipped with the literacy skills needed for lifelong learning.