At St John the Baptist Primary School, we inspire our children to become avid readers and purposeful writers. English provides a rigorous foundation on which pupils build the skills necessary to succeed across the curriculum. Our aim is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong understanding of both the spoken and written word, while nurturing a lifelong love of literature through reading for pleasure.

Spoken language underpins the development of reading and writing. The quality and variety of language that pupils hear and use is vital for developing vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. At St John’s, carefully structured learning journeys form the foundation of teaching reading, writing, and spelling. Pupils are given opportunities to explain and discuss their understanding of a wide range of high‑quality texts and genres, enabling them to write for different audiences and purposes. Drama and improvisation are used to engage pupils, rehearse ideas, and refine their thinking, leading to high‑quality written outcomes.

Robust text drivers and visual stimuli inspire purposeful writing in all learners, with links to foundation subjects that build a holistic curriculum. Writing across the curriculum demonstrates clear progression of skills throughout the school.

Using the National Curriculum as our starting point, we ensure that all pupils:

• Produce high‑quality, creative outcomes which can be assessed against objectives and show progression across the year.

• Make visible progress from September to July, and across Reception to Year 6, as skills are mastered and embedded.

• Deepen their learning through immersion in rich stimuli, drawing out high‑quality vocabulary and inspiration for writing.

• Discuss, edit, and evaluate their own work to make corrections, improvements, or create desired effects.

• Access texts that complement subjects across the curriculum, making links to vocabulary, history, fictional characters, and themes to deepen knowledge and understanding.

English at St John’s is a spiral curriculum, revisited year-on-year to build upon prior learning. It is divided into a series of learning journeys, each based on contrasting texts that inspire children to appreciate and create writing that connects across genres. Writing opportunities are purposeful, shared with intended audiences, and feedback is used to motivate and highlight the power of spoken and written language.

A typical learning journey includes:

• An engaging ‘hook’ to stimulate excitement and curiosity (e.g. images, props, trips, video clips, scenarios).

• Immersion into rich texts – both fiction and non‑fiction – to generate deeper understanding.

• Development of spoken language through discussion, drama, and oral rehearsal.

• Links to cross‑curricular topics, personal experiences, current affairs and background knowledge.

• Use of rich texts as models for pupils’ own writing.

• Opportunities to practise grammar, refine ideas, and manipulate language.

• Application of skills into a final independent outcome.

• High‑quality, timely feedback to address misconceptions and extend understanding.

Provision is tailored to individual needs. Some children may work with smaller sections of text or receive additional support, while others working at greater depth are challenged to analyse language, grammar, inference, and themes at a more advanced level. Outcomes for greater depth may include characterisation through dialogue or shifts in formality. All children are expected to edit and refine their work with increasing independence.

Our intention is that all children find reading, writing, and spelling engaging, motivational, and empowering.

At St John’s, our aim is for all children to:

• Take ownership of their learning across the English curriculum.

• Be inspired by a wide range of authors and genres.

• Write for varied purposes and audiences, using language for effect and developing their authorial voice.

• Evaluate their own and others’ work with reference to inspiration, intent, and impact.

Progression is carefully mapped to ensure continuity across year groups. 

Impact is visible through carefully planned learning journeys, book monitoring, pupil conferencing, and final outcomes which demonstrate depth of understanding.

 

What our pupils say:

 

“In English we get to use our creativity.”

“It is exciting when we see objects from our stories as it helps us think deeply about the book.”

“I like to express myself when I’m writing.”

“I love reading in our library Chitty car as I can explore lots of stories and use my imagination.”