Writing.

Curriculum Intent

Ready - At Lanchester Primary School, our English curriculum adopts the Talk for Writing initiative, where children learn to internalise language structures, making them more confident storytellers and writers. We believe that a strong English curriculum is essential for effective communication, critical thinking and lifelong learning.

Respectful - We aim to develop our learners' communication skills by helping them express themselves clearly, both verbally and in writing, which is crucial for success in all subjects.

Resilient - English is the cornerstone of learning; proficiency in reading, writing and comprehension enhances performance in subjects like science, history and maths. In addition, research has shown that:

Speaking and listening skills are key to developing social confidence and the ability to articulate ideas effectively.
Exposure to a rich and varied curriculum fosters a love of books and storytelling, which improves imagination, creativity and empathy.
Strong literacy skills are essential for future education and career opportunities, providing children with the tools they need to succeed in life.

At Lanchester Primary School, we believe that Talk For Writing helps ensure children develop these essential skills in an engaging and effective way.

Curriculum Aims

Our English curriculum is designed around three core strands of essential knowledge that support children in their journey towards fluency and cultural literacy. Each strand aims to build a fundamental understanding of language and communication, helping students become confident, competent speakers of English:

1. Phonics – Teaching the key components of the English sound system, including the relationships between letters and sounds, to build a solid foundation in pronunciation and decoding. This component will enhance students' reading fluency and enable them to approach new vocabulary with confidence.

2. Vocabulary – Developing a set of high-frequency (tier two) vocabulary that students can apply in a variety of contexts, both orally and in writing. This set of core vocabulary is selected from each unit of work and is essential because it bridges the gap between everyday conversation and academic success. Explicit teaching of the chosen vocabulary and transferable sentence patterns allows children to develop a richer, more precise way of expressing themselves.

3. Grammar – provides the foundation for clear communication, effective writing and academic success. Understanding grammar helps children express their thoughts clearly and accurately, both in speech and writing. It also allows children to write more fluently, using correct sentence structures, punctuation and varied sentence types to make their writing more engaging.

Objectives

Our English curriculum supports children in achieving the following goals:

Improve communication skills: giving students the tools to communicate their thoughts, emotions and ideas with clarity and precision.
Enhance writing quality: good grammar allows students to write with more confidence and competence using varied sentences to engage the reader.
Develop reading comprehension: We aim to equip students with a strong grasp of writerly tools and grammar to help them understand complex texts, recognise meaning from sentence structures and improve overall reading and writing skills.
Boost confidence: when children understand how language works, they become more confident in their speaking and writing abilities, helping them participate more actively in discussions.

Implementation

To achieve these objectives, our English curriculum is structured to support progressive learning throughout the school years, with each year building upon the skills and knowledge acquired previously. Lessons are designed to be interactive, engaging, and culturally immersive, incorporating a variety of teaching methods, including:

Phonics-based instruction for early and consistent exposure to English sounds and spelling patterns.
Vocabulary development through age-appropriate activities, such as story-telling, jumpstart sentence activities and drama.
Explicit grammar instruction and teaching of tier two words and transferable sentence patterns.
Cultural exploration through multimedia resources, texts from different cultures and storytelling opportunities.

What are the key concepts taught?

In line with the National Programme of Study for English throughout the primary phase, our curriculum is designed to ensure that students become confident readers, writers and speakers. The key skills and knowledge students should develop are:

1. Spoken Language (Oracy):

Develop confidence in speaking, listening and discussion.
Using standard English and a wide vocabulary.
Participating in debates, presentations and performances.

2. Reading:
a) Word Reading:

Phonics and decoding skills (especially in KS1).
Fluency and accuracy in reading aloud.

b) Comprehension:

Understanding texts, predicting, summarising and making inferences.
Reading a wide range of books, including fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

3. Writing:
a) Transcription (Spelling, Handwriting and Phonics)

Learning spelling rules and patterns.
Developing neat and legible handwriting.
Composition (creative and Functional Writing)
Planning, drafting and editing writing.
Writing for different purposes (stories, reports, instructions, poetry, etc.)

c) Grammar, Punctuation and Vocabulary:

Understanding sentence structure, punctuation and word choice.
Expanding vocabulary, including tier two words.

Impact

Through this curriculum, we aim for our students to leave Lanchester Primary School with a strong foundation in English and greater confidence in their reading, writing and oracy skills.

Our success will be evident when our students can show:

Improved literacy skills: strong reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The ability to decode, comprehend and engage well with a range of texts.
Greater academic achievement: supports learning in all subjects, as literacy underpins understanding in maths, science and humanities. Students will be better equipped at following instructions, explaining their thinking and expressing ideas effectively.
Enhanced communication and expression: encourages confident speaking and writing, helping students articulate thoughts clearly. Expanding vocabulary, allowing for more precise and creative expression.
Increased love for reading and writing: encourages a lifelong passion for books, storytelling and creative writing. Exposed students to different cultures, perspectives and ideas.
Stronger social and emotional development: helps students understand emotions and relationships through high quality texts. Encourages empathy and critical thinking.

Culture

How does learning prepare children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life?

Our curriculum equips students with essential skills for secondary education, further study and employment. By emphasising the opportunities for meaningful discussion around high quality texts, drama and explicit teaching and instruction of tier two vocabulary, this helps to ensure that students can communicate effectively in all aspects of life.

Holistic development

What are the planned opportunities for developing English and oracy?

Children's English skills will be developed across the key stage by providing ample opportunities to improve their speaking and listening. Phonics skills are also utilised when decoding new and unfamiliar vocabulary. Additionally, various aspects of grammar (for example, the use of articles and conjunctions) support children with sentence construction in English, both in speaking and writing.

How are SEND children supported in Writing?

What are the planned opportunities for personalisation, including SEN more able pupils and disadvantaged?

In planning the English curriculum at Lanchester Primary School, we aim to create a learning environment that is inclusive, supportive, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of all children, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), more able pupils, and disadvantaged children. Here are the planned opportunities for personalisation:

1. Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Differentiated Instruction: Lessons are designed with varied activities that accommodate different learning styles and levels. For instance, children who may struggle with reading or writing can participate in more oral or auditory activities, such as listening exercises, role-plays, and paired speaking tasks.
Visual and Tactile Supports: We use visual aids such as flashcards, dual-coding (images), and videos to reinforce vocabulary and grammatical structures. Hands-on activities, such as sentence building activities with vocabulary cards (colourful semantics), provide additional support for SEN learners.
Scaffolded Learning Tasks: writing toolkits supported by images, sentence starters, and supporting with oral sentence rehearsal help SEN children understand and complete tasks independently. Teachers may also provide simplified language and focus on core vocabulary to ensure that key concepts are accessible.
Assistive Technology: When appropriate, we incorporate digital tools and applications that allow SEN children to practise at their own pace and engage with interactive language-learning content, such as use of Widgit and Literacy Gold.

2. More Able Pupils

Extended Learning Opportunities: More able pupils are given opportunities to explore more complex language concepts and expand their vocabulary beyond the core curriculum. For instance, encouraging pupils to discuss the impact of their writing on the reader and exploring how authors manipulate words for effect.
Higher-Order Thinking Activities: We encourage creativity by giving children the opportunity to engage in tasks like writing a narrative from alternative perspectives, switching the genre or text type, writing sequels and prequels and blending story types.
Independent Projects and Challenges: More able pupils have the option to choose their levels of innovation and invent narratives and non-fiction writing projects of their own. They are encouraged to make informed decisions on which writerly tools to apply from their writing toolkits, select precise vocabulary for effect and manipulate language to achieve a particular effect on the reader.
Opportunities for Peer Teaching: To reinforce their understanding, more able students may be encouraged to assist their peers or take on mentoring roles during group activities. This experience can deepen their knowledge and enhance leadership skills.

3. Disadvantaged Pupils

Cultural Enrichment Activities: To support disadvantaged pupils’ engagement, our curriculum provides an opportunity for creative hooks aimed to fully immerse all students and promote interest and motivation while expanding their cultural awareness. This may include drama, art and external visits to support pupils in developing cultural awareness.
Access to Resources and Support: We ensure that all children have access to essential resources, such as dictionaries, bilingual books, and digital devices, so they can fully participate in activities.
Emphasis on Language Skills: By focusing on high-frequency vocabulary and useful phrases, we aim to equip disadvantaged pupils with practical communication skills they can use in real-life contexts. This approach builds confidence and emphasises the relevance of learning English for future opportunities.
Parental Engagement and Support: To help disadvantaged pupils feel more supported, we engage parents in the language-learning process by sharing resources and updates about what their children are learning in their Talk for Writing lessons. This may include providing bilingual copies of a text to support storytelling at home and inviting parents to participate in events.

4. General Personalisation Strategies

Flexible Grouping: Students are grouped flexibly to ensure they work with peers at similar skill levels for some activities, while also having the opportunity to collaborate with mixed-ability groups. This approach supports both peer learning and individualised support.
Interactive and Multi-Sensory Activities: We incorporate a variety of activities, such as songs, games, storytelling, and interactive exercises that cater to auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners. This approach makes learning more engaging and accessible for all children.

Social, emotional and mental health support

Our English curriculum is designed to be both challenging and supportive, allowing every child the opportunity to develop their language skills, cultural awareness, and confidence. By fostering a love for language learning, we aim to help each child reach their fullest potential, regardless of their starting point.

What is done to support the social, emotional and mental health of pupils in this subject?

To support the social, emotional, and mental health of our children in English lessons, we emphasise a positive, inclusive environment that builds confidence, promotes cultural understanding, and encourages collaboration.

1. Building Confidence and Self-Esteem

Supportive Speaking Activities: We provide low-stress opportunities for speaking and listening, helping students gain confidence by practising in pairs or small groups.
Positive Reinforcement: Teachers celebrate effort and progress, reinforcing a growth mindset and helping children feel proud of their achievements.

2. Encouraging Social and Emotional Skills

Collaborative Learning: Pair and group activities foster teamwork and empathy, as children work together on language tasks and role-plays.
Expressing Emotions and Opinions: Activities that involve discussing emotions and sharing opinions help children develop emotional literacy.

3. Promoting Cultural Awareness and Tolerance

Exploring Texts Through Different Cultures: Through stories, music, and cultural topics, students gain a broader worldview, enhancing their sense of belonging as global citizens.
Respect for Diversity: Learning about diverse cultures fosters tolerance and appreciation for differences, contributing to positive social and moral development.

4. Reducing Anxiety and Supporting Well-being

Structured Lessons with Predictable Routines: Familiar lesson structures provide security and reduce anxiety, allowing students to focus and feel comfortable.
Encouraging a Growth Mindset: We normalise mistakes as part of learning, helping students build resilience and perseverance.

Through these strategies, our English curriculum nurtures not only language skills but also the emotional and social well-being of each student.