INTENT

At Sissinghurst Primary School, our English curriculum is designed to develop a lifelong love of reading, writing, while equipping children with the essential skills they need to become confident communicators and effective learners across all areas of the curriculum. We aim to prepare our pupils for life as successful, valuable and socially responsible citizens by enabling them to express themselves clearly, creatively and confidently in both spoken and written forms.

Our carefully sequenced, broad and balanced curriculum is underpinned by inclusive practice and shaped by the National Curriculum. It is designed to ensure clear progression from Early Years through to the end of Key Stage 2, with a focus on developing fluency, accuracy and depth in all aspects of English. We have high expectations for all learners, and our curriculum reflects this, enabling all children to build on their prior knowledge and achieve their goals.

We intend for writing to be a transferrable skill that supports learning across the wider curriculum. Pupils are expected to apply their knowledge of spelling, grammar and punctuation consistently and accurately in all subjects. Equally, they are encouraged to embed subject-specific vocabulary and knowledge from across the curriculum into their writing. Oracy is embedded throughout all areas of learning, ensuring pupils develop confidence, clarity and the ability to listen and respond thoughtfully – not as a bolt-on, but as an integral part of their learning journey.

 

IMPLEMENTATION

We implement our English curriculum through a consistent, rigorous and engaging approach that prioritises progression and mastery. English lessons are carefully planned to build upon prior learning, with regular opportunities for pupils to revisit and consolidate key skills and knowledge.

 

Reading:
Reading is prioritised across the school, with a clear progression from phonics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1 to more sophisticated comprehension and fluency skills in Key Stage 2. We use a structured phonics programme to develop early decoding skills and foster a love of reading from the very start. As pupils progress, they are exposed to a wide range of high-quality texts to develop fluency, inference, vocabulary and a deeper understanding of authorial intent. Whole-class reading, guided reading and individual reading strategies are used to ensure all children can access and enjoy a rich reading diet.

 

Writing:
Writing is taught through high-quality, engaging texts that inspire creativity and purpose. Pupils are guided through a structured writing process that includes planning, drafting, editing and publishing. Grammar, punctuation and spelling are taught both discretely and within context, and pupils are expected to apply this knowledge consistently across all curriculum areas. Writing outcomes are purposeful and often cross-curricular, ensuring that writing is meaningful and relevant. A strong focus is placed on vocabulary development, with explicit teaching of ambitious and subject-specific words.

Across the school, teachers model high standards of English and provide regular, specific feedback to support improvement. Assessment for learning is used to identify gaps, inform planning and target teaching – ensuring that all pupils, including the lowest 20% and disadvantaged learners, are supported and challenged to make strong progress.

 

IMPACT

By the time pupils leave Sissinghurst Primary, they are confident, fluent and enthusiastic readers, capable of accessing a wide range of texts for both pleasure and information. They write with purpose, audience and clarity, using rich vocabulary and accurate grammar, punctuation and spelling. Their work across the curriculum reflects the high standards established in English lessons, and they understand the value of effective communication in all aspects of life.

Children make strong progress in English, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils. Assessment outcomes, pupil voice, and the quality of work in books reflect the ambition of our curriculum. Pupils are articulate, reflective and expressive, able to speak and listen respectfully and with confidence.

Ultimately, our English curriculum empowers pupils to express themselves, understand others, and engage with the world around them – preparing them not only for the next stage in their education, but for life beyond the classroom.

 

Do look at the pages on early reading, reading and writing for more information about how we teach English at Sissinghurst.