English at St James
Intent
At St James, English lies at the heart of our curriculum, with reading as the foundation upon which all other learning is built. We believe that when children become confident, fluent readers, they unlock the knowledge, language and imagination needed to thrive across every subject.
Our intent is to:
- Foster a love of reading from the earliest stages and build confident, fluent readers who read widely for pleasure and purpose.
- Ensure every child has strong spoken language, comprehension and oracy skills to express themselves clearly and creatively.
- Enable children to become articulate writers who can communicate effectively for a range of audiences and purposes.
- Provide a rich, language‑driven curriculum that supports vocabulary development, metacognition and critical thinking.
- Ensure all children, regardless of starting point, receive the support they need to keep up - not catch up.
Implementation
Reading
Early Reading & Phonics
- We use Read Write Inc. Phonics to teach early reading, delivered daily as whole‑class phonics, ensuring consistency and high expectations for all.
- Additional intervention and small‑group support are provided to help children keep up, maintaining a strong pace through the programme.
- In EYFS, early reading is strengthened using Ruth Miskin’s Talk Through Stories to immerse children in rich vocabulary, narrative structure and high‑quality texts.
- Children also learn a wide repertoire of poetry through Say a Poem, supporting rhythm, memory and language development.
Progression in Reading
- Once children move beyond phonics, reading is taught through a combination of:
- Small‑group guided reading in a carousel model.
- Whole‑class reading sessions (“Book Club”) that build fluency, comprehension and a shared love of literature.
- A rich, well‑curated reading environment and high‑quality book stock ensure children see themselves as readers throughout the school.
Writing
Early Writing (Reception)
- Writing begins with Drawing Club, encouraging imagination, storytelling and early composition.
- This is complemented by Ruth Miskin Get Writing, which provides structure, practice and progression in early sentence building.
- Targeted English lessons also support foundational skills such as letter formation, oral rehearsal and early transcription.
Writing Progression Through School
- As children move through the school, teachers plan sequential writing units that build on prior knowledge and ensure core skills are revisited and embedded.
- Grammar, punctuation and spelling (SPAG) is taught explicitly and then applied meaningfully within writing.
- In KS2, spelling is supported by Ruth Miskin Spelling, ensuring children are taught “stage not age,” allowing for personalised progression.
- Handwriting is taught consistently across the school through the Ruth Miskin handwriting programme.
Speaking, Listening & Thinking
- We use Let’s Think in English (King’s College London) to develop metacognition, high‑level reasoning and oracy.
- These sessions allow children to explore ideas, discuss texts deeply and articulate their thinking clearly and confidently.
Impact
By the time children leave St James, they will:
- Be fluent, confident readers who enjoy reading for pleasure and can use reading to learn across the curriculum.
- Have a strong foundation of vocabulary, comprehension and spoken language, enabling them to participate fully in discussions and express ideas clearly.
- Be able to write with accuracy, creativity and purpose, choosing vocabulary and structures to suit a range of audiences and genres.
- Show secure knowledge of phonics, spelling patterns, grammar rules and handwriting habits that enable them to write with confidence.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and reflective skills, enhanced through Let’s Think in English, enabling them to justify opinions, evaluate perspectives and engage thoughtfully with texts.
- Be well‑prepared for the demands of secondary education, equipped with the literacy skills needed for lifelong learning.