English has a central place in our curriculum. We want every pupil to become a confident speaker, attentive listener, fluent reader and effective writer. Through high-quality texts, purposeful talk and carefully sequenced teaching, pupils develop the knowledge and skills needed to communicate, think, learn and participate fully in school and in later life.

Our English curriculum reflects the statutory National Curriculum for English at Key Stages 1 and 2 and, in Reception, the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Teaching is designed to build secure foundations in spoken language, reading and writing while fostering enjoyment, curiosity and a lifelong love of literature.

The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:

• read easily, fluently and with good understanding.
• develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information.
• acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.
• appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage.
• write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences.
• use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas.
• are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.