St Martin'sCE Primary School

English at St Martin’s CE Primary School

Curriculum Intent

At St Martin’s CE Primary School, English is at the heart of our curriculum and is fundamental to pupils’ success across every area of learning. Rooted in our values of Aspiration, Community and Courage, our English curriculum develops confident readers, articulate speakers and purposeful writers who can communicate effectively and participate fully in society.

Our curriculum brings together spoken language, reading and writing through a carefully sequenced and coherent approach. Knowledge and skills build progressively from EYFS to Year 6, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections between what they hear, say, read and write. Strong foundations are prioritised so that pupils develop the fluency, confidence and independence needed to access the whole curriculum and succeed in the next stage of their education.

As an inclusive school with a high proportion of pupils who speak English as an Additional Language, we place particular emphasis on language acquisition, vocabulary development and communication. Pupils’ home languages, cultures and experiences are recognised as strengths. Through explicit vocabulary teaching, high-quality interactions, structured talk and carefully modelled language, pupils develop an increasingly confident and precise command of spoken and written English.

High-quality texts are central to our English curriculum. Texts are deliberately selected to reflect the diversity of our school community while broadening pupils’ literary and cultural experiences. Pupils encounter a rich range of authors, genres, cultures and perspectives that develop their knowledge, stimulate curiosity and provide meaningful contexts for discussion, reading and writing.

The same ambitious English curriculum is an entitlement for every pupil. Teachers have high expectations and identify barriers promptly, making purposeful adaptations for pupils with SEND, disadvantaged pupils, those learning English as an additional language and others who may need additional support. Support is carefully targeted and gradually reduced so that pupils develop independence without expectations being lowered.

Assessment is used systematically to check understanding, identify gaps and inform teaching. Additional teaching and practice are provided promptly so that pupils secure essential knowledge, keep up with their peers and, where necessary, catch up quickly.

Impact

Through our English curriculum, pupils develop detailed knowledge and increasing confidence across spoken language, reading and writing. They learn to express ideas clearly, listen and respond thoughtfully, engage with increasingly ambitious texts and communicate accurately and purposefully for different audiences and contexts.

Pupils apply their English knowledge across the wider curriculum, using subject-specific language to explain their thinking and demonstrate the breadth and depth of their learning. They become increasingly fluent, independent and reflective communicators who take pride in their work.

Assessment information, pupils’ work, discussions and outcomes are used to evaluate the impact of the curriculum and identify priorities for improvement. Particular attention is given to pupils who may face barriers to learning, ensuring that support is adjusted promptly and gaps narrow quickly.

By the end of Year 6, pupils have developed the language, knowledge and confidence needed to flourish in secondary education and participate successfully in the wider world.