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At Wembley Primary School, our vision for our English curriculum is to cultivate a lifelong love for language, literacy, and effective communication skills in every pupil. We aim to empower our pupils with a strong foundation in English language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening, enabling them to express themselves effectively and engage with the world. We are committed to fostering a nurturing, inclusive, and inspiring learning environment where each child can develop the skills, confidence, and passion necessary to excel in English. We aim to prepare them to contribute to a diverse and interconnected world as skilled communicators, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners.
Our intention is to provide a high-quality English curriculum that inspires and challenges all pupils to be confident, lifelong readers and writers who are equipped with the crucial skills they need to communicate effectively in the 21st century. Our intent is aligned with the National Curriculum for English, ensuring that our pupils meet age-related expectations and are prepared for the next stage of their education.
To achieve this intention, we implement a broad and cohesive English programme that is rich in literature, language, and literary heritage that reflects our diverse community. Our teaching is adaptive, responsive, and personalised to meet the individual needs of our pupils, including those with SEND, EAL or who are disadvantaged.
Our curriculum incorporates a range of core quality texts and genres, with a focus on challenging and enriching vocabulary and timeless classics that expose pupils to new and exciting concepts, themes, and issues. Pupils are encouraged and supported to read widely and for pleasure, with an emphasis on developing their inferential and critical reading skills.
We also provide ample opportunities for pupils to develop their writing skills across a range of genres, purposes and audiences. Our teaching focuses on building pupils' confidence in their writing abilities by providing explicit teaching, modelled writing, and opportunities for practice and feedback that allows pupils to apply their understanding of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Furthermore, we place a strong emphasis on speaking and listening skills, recognising that these are essential to pupils' academic success and life beyond the school gates. Our teaching provides opportunities for pupils to practise and develop their communication skills in a range of contexts, including through drama, performance poetry and through the range of school elected student bodies.
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where every pupil, regardless of background or ability, feels supported and encouraged to become effective communicators in a multicultural world.
We believe in the power of collaborative learning, encouraging both parents and pupils to work together, share ideas, and develop a sense of community that fosters a supportive learning environment.
Through our high-quality English curriculum, our pupils will become confident, creative, and motivated lifelong readers, writers, speakers, and listeners. They will achieve well academically, including achieving high standards in reading, writing, and spoken language. Pupils will also develop a love of literature, a deep understanding of the language and a broad appreciation of its rich heritage. Our pupils will leave us equipped with the skills, knowledge, and passion for English to excel throughout their academic studies and beyond.
Results in statutory assessments consistently meet and often exceed national expectations, across all aspects of English. The majority of our pupils become confident and enthusiastic readers, with a thirst for knowledge and a love for literature that extends beyond their time in our school.
Our English provision plays a significant role in developing pupils' wellbeing and personal development. Building strong literacy skills boosts pupils' self-confidence and enables them to express themselves effectively. Pupils develop resilience, empathy, and a love for lifelong learning through engaging with a broad range of texts and collaborating in meaningful discussions. They become culturally aware, embracing diversity and celebrating the richness of literature from various backgrounds.
Our inclusive approach to English ensures that all pupils, regardless of their background or ability, can access and succeed in the subject. We provide targeted interventions and tailored support for those who require it. Pupils with SEND and EAL needs receive appropriate support, enabling them to fully participate in all aspects of the English curriculum. We celebrate the uniqueness and individuality of every pupil, fostering an inclusive learning community.
We actively engage parents and carers in our English provision. We provide regular opportunities for parents to attend workshops, join reading sessions, and participate in events that promote a love for reading and writing. We value the partnership between home and school, recognising the importance of reinforcing learning experiences beyond the classroom and ensuring parents are well-informed about their child's progress and how they can support their literacy development at home.
Through the intent and implementation of our English curriculum, we positively shape the lives of our pupils, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their educational journey and beyond.
How to support your child with reading
1. Reading Records are a log of children’s reading of their phonic level or colour banded books at home and are used to communicate with teachers to report how they have read at home, including the child’s enjoyment and comprehension of the book. Parents/carers are expected to listen to children read daily at home and help support them by asking questions. See Reading Record Comments document attached below to help you with suggested comments to write when signing the reading record.
2. Make books a part of family life – always have books around at home. It will help if they see you reading as well.
3. Join your local library – get your child a library card. It is free and you will be able to access hundreds of fantastic books. Let them choose what they want to read to help them develop their own interests. The library as an interesting calendar of events and workshops.
4. Help your child find the right book for them – find something that will interest them. It doesn't matter if it's fiction, poetry, comic books or non-fiction. All reading is good, even magazines and leaflets.
5. Snuggle up together somewhere warm and cosy. Find a quiet zone, whether it is in bed, on a beanbag or on the sofa. Also, make sure your child has somewhere comfy to read on their own too.
6. Read whenever you get the chance – have a book or magazine with you for any time your child has to wait, like at the doctor's or the dentist or to keep them entertained on a journey.
7. Encourage your child to re-read the books and poems they enjoy. Re-reading helps to build fluency and confidence.
8. Enjoy reading with your children at bedtime. It is a great way to end the day and to spend valuable time with them.
9. Read books and poems with rhymes and repeated words or phrases. They are great for getting your children to join in and remember the words.
10. Ask questions to keep them interested in the story. Start with ‘where did we get to last time?’, ‘can you remember what’s happened so far?’ and 'what do you think will happen next?'. Then ask them, ‘what was your favourite part?’ and ‘which character did you like best?’ after completing a book ask them, ‘what did you think of the ending?’, ‘how could the ending be improved?’ See the printable bookmark below for more questions and tips.
Bookmark with questions and tips
Top tips to supporting your child’s reading at home
Register to join you local library
Download and register for the Borrowbox app
WPS Recommended Home Reading List: YR - Y6
1. Give your child a quiet and well lit space to write with paper, pens, pencils, coloured felt tips etc.
2. Start a vocabulary notebook for them to record new words and encourage them to use these words (either orally or in their writing) – at school we call them our ‘Treasure Books’.
3. Ensure they have access to a dictionary and thesaurus to check spellings and use more powerful vocabulary.
4. Encourage your child to keep a reflective journal – this can be used to develop their description of ‘senses’ as a writer (what can you see? what can you hear? what can you smell? what can you touch? what do you feel?) e.g. writing a diary, recounting a family day trip or holiday, recounting a family celebration.
5. Provide authentic writing opportunities for your child e.g. writing shopping list, thank you notes, invitation, a postcard, card, email or a letter.
6. Ask children to write freely e.g. give them a picture stimulus (see link below for pictures) and ask them to write a text of their choice, using what they feel is happening in the picture.
7. Be a reading and writing role model yourself – discuss the purpose of the writing and the audience e.g. writing a card, writing to a teacher, writing to a shop.
8. Help your child publish their writing - e.g. share with others, display on fridge or have a scrap book with a collection of their writing.
9. Encourage your child to learn their spellings. Look, cover, write and check is a popular method and breaking down the syllables whilst clapping helps. You can have fun playing games, such as shuffling the letters (then child re-orders them) or creating doodles/drawings with the letters of the word.
