English

English at The Meadows

‘English is my favourite lesson.’

Year 6 pupil.

‘I liked writing the story of the duck chick in Read Write Inc. I find writing ‘e’ tricky. I say ‘lift off the top and scoop out the egg.’

Year 1 pupil.

‘I loved Troll Swap because the character changed her life around. I liked the characters- especially the naughty character, Tabatha. I’ve also liked reading Major Glad, Major Dizzy and I have really enjoyed writing this year.’

Year 2 pupil.

‘My favourite book this year has been ‘Queen of the Falls’ because I just wanted to keep on reading more in class. I learnt new words like ‘discombobulated’- I shared this with Mum!’

Year 5 pupil.

An introduction to English at the Meadows

Intent: Why we do what we do
Implementation: How we teach English at The Meadows
Impact: How we will know if we have been successful

Planning:

Read, Write Inc. – Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. To read our progression documents for the below, please find them attached at the bottom of the page.

Read Write Inc. National Curriculum
Read Write Inc. EYFS
Read Write Inc. Year 1
Read Write Inc. Year 2

Pathways to Write Unit Overviews Year 2 - Year 6

Texts and Mastery Overview
Progression of English Mastery Knowledge

Progression of English Skills

‘Pathways to Write’ Programme:

Feature Keys Progression
Reading and Spoken Language Overview

How can you help your child at home?

You can support your child with their English at home by using some of the following resources/websites -

To see a copy of our English Policies please find them attached below this page.

Introduction to English at The Meadows

Through our curriculum in English, we aim:

To impart a love of reading by providing a wide range of high quality texts throughout school life, so that reading fluency, understanding and enjoyment is secure and has enabled our pupils to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually by the time they are ready to leave us for their next learning journey.
To gain a sound understanding of the sound and spelling system so that we nurture our pupils, enabling them to read and spell accurately, using a range of strategies by the time they leave us.
To have given our pupils the opportunity to have developed a fluent, joined and legible handwriting style which will enable them to effectively communicate language: their ideas, thoughts and knowledge in the written form.
To develop our children’s powers of imagination, inventiveness and critical awareness, so that they are able to write with regularity and confidence, can evaluate and justify their preferences, thus equipping them with a strong command of the spoken and written word in readiness for entering the demanding world of communication.

Intent: Why we do what we do

At The Meadows Primary School, we believe that a high‑quality Literacy (English) curriculum should nurture a lifelong love of reading, writing, and discussion. A core priority is ensuring that all children become confident, fluent readers with strong comprehension skills. We aim to foster a passion for reading by immersing pupils in a wide range of high‑quality texts throughout their school journey, enabling them to read with fluency, understanding, and genuine enjoyment. Through this rich reading experience, pupils develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually, preparing them for the next stage of their education.

We recognise the importance of creating a culture where children take pride in their writing, can write clearly and accurately, and confidently adapt their language and style for different purposes and audiences. We strive to inspire learners to become articulate speakers and active listeners who use discussion effectively to communicate, deepen understanding, and broaden their thinking. Through purposeful opportunities for speaking and writing, pupils develop imagination, creativity, and critical awareness, enabling them to express ideas with clarity, justify their viewpoints, and engage confidently in the demanding world of communication.

To support children in securing strong foundations in reading and writing, we place high value on developing accurate phonic knowledge, spelling skills, and a fluent, joined, legible handwriting style. These essential elements work together to ensure pupils can communicate their ideas, thoughts, and knowledge effectively in written form.

Ultimately, we believe that children benefit from a secure, progressive knowledge base in literacy that builds systematically across the primary years. A strong foundation in literacy is fundamental to a high quality education and equips our pupils with the vital skills they need to participate fully, confidently, and responsibly as members of society.

Implementation: How we teach English at The Meadows

Our literacy curriculum is carefully structured to ensure that pupils build secure, progressive skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening. In Early Years and Year 1, we follow the Read Write Inc. (RWI) phonics programme, a highly effective and systematic scheme that enables children to rapidly acquire the foundations of early reading. Through daily phonics, targeted small‑group teaching, and regular assessment, children learn to recognise sounds, blend accurately, segment confidently, and apply their phonics knowledge to both reading and writing. The RWI approach ensures that all pupils, including those needing additional support, receive consistent, high-quality teaching tailored to their stage of development.
Once children successfully complete the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, they transition to the Pathways to Write programme from Year 2 onwards. This mastery approach uses high quality, ocabulary rich texts to drive learning in reading and writing. Pathways to Write supports teachers to plan and deliver well sequenced units that develop key writing skills, grammatical understanding, and opportunities to write for a range of audiences and purposes. Across Key Stage 2, pupils continue to build on this foundation through carefully planned lessons that integrate reading, writing, and spoken language.
Regular opportunities for guided reading, shared writing, independent writing, and rich discussion allow pupils to develop fluency, comprehension, imagination, and critical thinking. Handwriting, spelling, vocabulary development, and grammar are taught systematically and revisited throughout the curriculum. High expectations, consistent modelling, and effective feedback ensure pupils understand what successful writing looks like and how to achieve it.
Our classroom environment celebrate reading and writing through accessible book areas, high quality displays, and the promotion of reading for pleasure. Targeted interventions and additional support ensure that all learners including those with SEND can achieve and make progress. Across each year group, teachers work collaboratively to ensure consistency, continuity, and a clear progression of skills.

Impact: How we will know if we have been successful

By the time pupils leave The Meadows, they will have developed secure, confident literacy skills that prepare them for the demands of secondary education and life beyond. Through Read Write Inc, pupils in EYFS and Year 1 gain strong early phonics knowledge, allowing them to decode, spell, and read with increasing accuracy and fluency. Successful completion of the Phonics Screening Check demonstrates their readiness to move into more advanced reading and writing.

Through the Pathways to Write programme, pupils in Year 2–6 develop into skilled, thoughtful writers who can plan, draft, edit, and refine their work for a wide range of purposes. They learn to use advanced vocabulary, accurate grammar, and varied sentence structures, enabling them to communicate with clarity, imagination, and precision. Their writing reflects the high‑quality texts they have read throughout their journey.

Pupils become confident, articulate speakers and attentive listeners who can express opinions clearly, justify their ideas, evaluate the views of others, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Their ability to speak, read, and write effectively strengthens learning across the wider curriculum.

Assessment evidence such as independent writing, phonics assessments, book scrutiny, pupil voice, and ongoing teacher observation shows that pupils make strong progress and achieve well from their starting points. Children who require additional support are identified quickly and provided with targeted interventions, enabling them to thrive.

Ultimately, the impact of our literacy curriculum is seen in pupils who leave us as enthusiastic readers, capable writers, and confident communicators who are ready to participate fully, responsibly, and successfully in the next stage of their learning and in the wider world.

English

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