English is the heartbeat of learning—nurturing confident speakers, passionate readers, and creative writers through a rich, purposeful curriculum.

 

At Red Oaks, we believe that English is at the heart of all learning. Through a rich and varied curriculum, we aim to develop confident communicators, enthusiastic readers, and imaginative writers. Our approach combines creativity, structure, and purpose to ensure every child can thrive.

 

Intent

At Red Oaks Primary School, we aim to develop confident, fluent and enthusiastic readers, writers and communicators. Through a rich and ambitious English curriculum, we strive to ensure that every child develops the knowledge, skills and vocabulary needed to succeed across the curriculum and in later life.

Our English curriculum is designed to:

• Foster a lifelong love of reading through exposure to high-quality and diverse texts.
• Develop fluent readers who can understand, analyse and respond critically to a range of texts.
• Enable pupils to write effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences.
• Build secure spelling, grammar and punctuation knowledge that supports effective communication.
• Develop pupils' spoken language and oracy skills, allowing them to articulate ideas confidently and respectfully.
• Close vocabulary gaps by explicitly teaching language and promoting rich discussion.
• Ensure all pupils, regardless of starting point, can achieve and make strong progress.

Implementation

From EYFS to Year 6, the curriculum provides a carefully sequenced approach that systematically builds knowledge, vocabulary and writing skills. ARK English Mastery is followed in KS2.  

English is taught daily through a structured sequence of lessons that develops reading, writing, grammar, spoken language, spelling and handwriting alongside one another.

Reading

• High-quality class texts are at the heart of English lessons.
• Explicit teaching of reading strategies enables pupils to develop fluency, comprehension and critical thinking.
• Children are exposed to a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
• Vocabulary instruction is carefully planned, with key words revisited and applied in different contexts.
• Teachers model fluent reading and comprehension through regular shared reading opportunities.
• Reading for pleasure is promoted through class novels, library access and reading recommendations.

Writing

• Writing is taught through high-quality text models and carefully structured writing sequences.
• Pupils analyse authorial choices and explore how texts are constructed before applying these techniques independently.
• Teachers use modelling, shared writing and guided practice to support skill development.
• Grammar, punctuation and spelling are taught both discretely and within meaningful writing contexts.
• Regular opportunities are provided for drafting, editing and improving writing.
• Writing tasks have clear purposes and audiences to develop authenticity and engagement.

ARK Mastery Approach in KS2

• Knowledge and skills are sequenced progressively across year groups.
• Lessons follow a clear "I do, We do, You do" structure.
• Retrieval practice is used regularly to embed prior learning.
• Explicit instruction supports all learners in accessing ambitious content.
• Vocabulary is deliberately planned and revisited to secure understanding.
• Opportunities for discussion and oracy are embedded throughout lessons.

Phonics and spelling

At Red Oaks Primary School, we prioritise the development of strong early reading and spelling skills. In EYFS and KS1, children follow the Little Wandle programme, which provides a systematic and rigorous approach to phonics teaching. In KS2, pupils build upon their phonics knowledge through the Oxford Owl spelling programme, developing secure spelling patterns, rules and word knowledge. This progressive approach ensures pupils become confident, fluent readers and accurate spellers who can apply their knowledge effectively across the curriculum.

Handwriting

At Red Oaks Primary School, we use Letter-join from EYFS through to Year 6 to develop fluent, legible and consistent handwriting. The programme provides a progressive approach to letter formation, joins and presentation, enabling pupils to take pride in their work and communicate effectively through writing.

Impact

By the time children leave Red Oaks, they will

• Be confident speakers, readers, and writers
• Be able to write for a variety of purposes and audiences
• Understand and apply key grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules
• Read fluently and with understanding across a range of genres
• Be prepared for the next stage of their education with strong literacy foundations

Through our English curriculum, Red Oaks Primary School aims to equip every child with the literacy skills, confidence and love of learning needed to thrive both in school and beyond.