English
Developing Confident Readers, Writers and Communicators
At Grampian Primary Academy, we believe that English provides children with the tools to communicate, connect and succeed in the wider world.
Through reading, writing and spoken language, children learn how to express themselves clearly, think critically and engage with the ideas, stories and experiences of others. English also provides access to the wider curriculum, helping children to deepen their knowledge and understanding across all subjects.
Rooted in our belief that success belongs to everyone, we provide an ambitious English curriculum alongside the support and challenge needed for all children to flourish.
Reading
Reading sits at the heart of our curriculum.
We want every child to develop a lifelong love of reading alongside the skills and confidence needed to access learning independently. Children are encouraged to read widely, explore diverse texts and develop the fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills required for success both in school and beyond.
In Key Stage 2, children access a bespoke reading curriculum supported by Literacy Tree, which uses high-quality texts to develop comprehension, vocabulary, oracy and a genuine enjoyment of literature.
Across the school, children encounter a rich variety of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Fluency and prosody are explicitly modelled and taught, helping children to read accurately, confidently and with expression.
Reading extends beyond lessons. Children enjoy the inviting school library, dedicated reading spaces and our outdoor reading area, all designed to promote reading for pleasure and encourage positive reading habits.
Phonics and Early Reading
We believe that every child can become a successful reader.
Phonics begins in Nursery through songs, rhymes, environmental sounds and the development of early listening skills.
In Reception and Key Stage 1, children follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme. Through daily phonics lessons, carefully matched reading books and regular assessment, children develop confidence in decoding, reading and spelling.
As children's accuracy develops, they move into Little Wandle Fluency, helping them build automaticity, confidence and enjoyment as readers.
Where children require additional support, timely intervention helps them to keep up with learning and continue making progress towards becoming confident, independent readers.
Writing
Writing provides children with the opportunity to communicate ideas, share experiences and express creativity.
Our writing curriculum is supported through Literacy Tree, where high-quality literature provides the stimulus for purposeful and engaging writing opportunities.
Children write regularly across the curriculum for a range of audiences and purposes. They learn how to craft and improve their writing through a focus on:
Transcription | By developing fluency, accuracy and automaticity in handwriting and spelling, enabling children to communicate their ideas confidently and effectively.
Composition | By shaping, organising and refining ideas through planning, drafting, revising and evaluating, enabling children to write purposefully for a range of audiences and purposes.
Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation | By selecting ambitious vocabulary and applying grammar and punctuation accurately, enabling children to write with clarity, precision and authorial style.
We want children to leave Grampian with the confidence and skills needed to communicate effectively through writing in a wide range of contexts.
Handwriting and Spelling
Strong foundations begin with strong habits.
Letter formation is introduced through our Little Wandle phonics programme before progressing to our bespoke Anthem Handwriting Curriculum, helping children develop fluent and legible handwriting.
In Key Stage 2, children follow the bespoke Anthem Spelling Curriculum, developing their understanding of spelling patterns, rules and word structures. This helps children become increasingly accurate and confident writers.
Spoken Language and Vocabulary
We recognise that spoken language underpins both reading and writing.
Vocabulary development and communication are woven throughout the curriculum and form a key part of our approach to learning.
Our curriculum provides regular opportunities for children to:
- Participate in discussion and debate.
- Present ideas to others.
- Perform poetry and drama.
- Explain and justify their thinking.
- Develop confidence when speaking to different audiences.
This work is supported through the Anthem Trust Oracy Framework, ensuring children progressively develop the communication skills they will need throughout their education and beyond.
Supporting Every Child
We believe that success belongs to everyone.
Teachers use assessment and ongoing observation to identify misconceptions and provide support as quickly as possible. Through adaptive teaching and targeted intervention, children receive the support they need to keep up with learning and continue developing as readers, writers and communicators.
By maintaining high expectations and providing the right support at the right time, we help all children achieve success in English.
Reading Opens Doors
Reading is one of the most powerful tools a child can possess. Through reading, children gain knowledge, develop empathy, broaden their horizons and discover new possibilities for their future. By helping every child become a confident reader, writer and communicator, we equip them with the skills and confidence needed to unlock their positive future.
