English at St Ann's R.C. Primary School

We use Read Write Inc. to give children a strong start on their reading and writing journey. Read Write Inc. is a structured, systematic phonics programme that supports children in learning to read accurately and with confidence.  The scheme fully integrates phonics, reading, writing, handwriting and spelling, ensuring that children develop essential early literacy skills together. Through daily, engaging lessons, pupils learn sounds, blend to read words, develop fluency and comprehension, and apply their phonics knowledge to writing with increasing accuracy and confidence.  This consistent approach ensures all children make strong, sustained progress in literacy from the very beginning. 

EYFS

To broaden and strengthen practice in EYFS, English is enhanced with the addition of Talk for Writing, which develops children’s language, confidence and understanding of story structure through talk, actions and role-play.  This oral rehearsal supports children to internalise language patterns and vocabulary, providing a strong foundation for early writing as they begin to record their ideas independently.

Year 1

In Year 1, staff use Literacy Tree Writing Roots units to enhance English provision.  This maximises exposure to high‑quality texts and further develops grammar, composition, vocabulary and oracy.  Children continue to write for a wide range of purposes and text types, with additional provision creating more opportunities for spontaneous, guided and independent writing.  This provides the initial foundation for children’s ongoing learning within the Literacy Tree Writing Roots scheme.

Year 2

Once children have completed the Read Write Inc. programme and demonstrate confidence and secure understanding in phonics, they move on to engage fully with the Literacy Tree Writing Roots scheme for English.  This typically takes place during the Autumn term of Year 2; however, we maintain flexibility to ensure provision is responsive to the needs of each cohort.  Children who continue to require additional phonics support receive targeted instruction through small‑group teaching.

KS2

In Key Stage 2, children follow the Literacy Tree Writing Roots scheme as the core approach to the teaching of writing in English.  This text‑based approach places high‑quality literature at the heart of learning, using carefully chosen texts to inspire pupils and expose them to ambitious vocabulary, rich language structures and a wide range of genres.  The scheme provides a clear progression in composition, grammar and vocabulary, while allowing teachers the flexibility to adapt lessons to meet the needs of their pupils.

Within each English lesson, pupils develop writing skills through structured units that emphasise understanding purpose, audience and authorial intent.  Reading is embedded within the Writing Roots approach to support comprehension and language analysis, alongside discrete whole‑class and guided reading lessons. 

Grammar and punctuation are taught within meaningful writing contexts, enabling pupils to apply these skills effectively and independently.  Where additional focus is required, stand‑alone lessons are planned to address specific areas of need. 

Across all classes, high‑quality literature is at the heart of teaching and learning, with teachers selecting engaging and suitably challenging texts to inspire pupils and broaden their experience of language.  From the Early Years through to Year 6, teachers plan purposeful opportunities for children to practise and apply their reading and writing skills across the wider curriculum, ensuring that English is embedded throughout all areas of learning.