At Christ Church First School, we believe that English is at the heart of all learning. Through speaking, listening, reading and writing, children learn to communicate their ideas, understand the world around them and develop as confident, successful learners. We place communication and language at the centre of our curriculum from the very beginning of a child's journey in EYFS, recognising that strong language skills are the foundation upon which reading, writing and future academic success are built.
Our curriculum is ambitious, carefully sequenced and built around high-quality texts that inspire curiosity, imagination and a love of learning. Through rich language experiences and purposeful opportunities to communicate, read and write, we aim to develop confident communicators, enthusiastic readers and successful writers.
Intent
At Christ Church First School, our intent is to provide every child with the communication, reading and writing skills they need to thrive both in school and beyond.
We believe that language is the cornerstone of learning. Therefore, from EYFS onwards, we create language-rich environments where children are immersed in stories, conversation, vocabulary and meaningful interactions. Through high-quality teaching and carefully planned opportunities to speak, listen, read and write, children develop the confidence to express themselves clearly and communicate effectively with others.
Reading lies at the heart of our English curriculum. We strive to foster a lifelong love of reading through exposure to a diverse range of high-quality texts in every year group. These texts broaden children's experiences, develop empathy, enrich vocabulary and inspire learning across the curriculum. Through the systematic teaching of phonics using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, children develop the secure foundations needed to become fluent, confident readers.
We aim to develop children as skilled writers who can write for a range of purposes and audiences. By drawing upon the language, vocabulary and structures encountered through quality literature, pupils learn to communicate their ideas creatively and effectively. Children are taught the essential skills of spelling, punctuation and grammar, alongside fluent handwriting, enabling them to write accurately, confidently and with pride.
By the time pupils leave Christ Church First School, we aspire for them to be confident communicators, fluent readers and capable writers who have developed a genuine love of language and literature and are fully prepared for the next stage of their education.
Our English Curriculum
High-quality texts are the foundation of our English curriculum and are carefully selected to support children's language development, reading comprehension and writing outcomes. Each year group is immersed in a range of engaging fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts which provide opportunities to explore vocabulary, develop comprehension skills and inspire high-quality writing.
Communication is woven throughout the curriculum. Children are encouraged to listen attentively, articulate their ideas, ask questions, justify their opinions and participate in meaningful discussions. Through structured talk and collaborative learning opportunities, pupils develop confidence in expressing themselves and communicating with others.
Children begin their reading journey through the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised phonics programme. This systematic approach ensures children develop secure decoding skills, fluency and confidence as readers. As they progress through the school, they are supported to deepen their understanding of texts through discussion, questioning and exposure to increasingly sophisticated vocabulary and literature.
Writing is closely linked to the high-quality texts that children study. Pupils write for a variety of purposes and audiences, learning how authors use language and structure to achieve different effects. They are taught to plan, draft, edit and improve their work, becoming increasingly independent writers.
Handwriting, spelling, punctuation and grammar are taught progressively and systematically throughout the school. Children develop fluent handwriting, accurate spelling and a secure understanding of grammatical concepts, enabling them to communicate effectively and present their work with pride.
Through our English curriculum, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of reading, develop confident communication skills and equip every child with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the next stage of their education and beyond.