English

Subject Lead: Mairead Langrish
Phonics Subject Lead: Sarah Humby

At BCS, we strive to ensure that our pupils enjoy English. This enjoyment - through engagement, challenge and support - is key to helping them make the best possible progress and become independent, self-motivated learners. Pupils acquire and apply the skills and enthusiasm necessary for high levels of reading, writing and communication across the curriculum.

We aim to foster a love of literature and an appreciation of its rich variety. Literacy is central to children’s intellectual, emotional and social development, and it underpins learning across all subjects, ensuring a coherent and progressive educational journey.

What Pupils Learn

Early Years
Children take part in daily communication, language and literacy activities, including regular phonics sessions using Read Write Inc. They develop letter formation skills, enjoy stories and rhymes, and begin writing for a range of purposes. Speaking and listening are embedded throughout the day to encourage confidence and expressive communication.

Key Stage 1
Pupils build on early skills through daily English and phonics lessons. Reading is supported through shared and guided sessions with adults, and writing tasks develop sentence structure, punctuation, vocabulary, and handwriting. Weekly spelling and reading homework reinforce learning at home.

Key Stage 2
Pupils refine and extend their reading, writing and grammar skills through a rich and varied curriculum. They analyse texts in depth, write for a range of audiences and purposes, and take responsibility for editing and improving their work. Reading for pleasure is encouraged alongside the school’s reading scheme, and pupils are challenged to use ambitious vocabulary and complex sentence structures.

How We Teach

• Practical, hands-on learning with clear real-world relevance

• Cross-curricular links to embed literacy across subjects

• Inclusive and differentiated teaching to meet all needs

• Use of technology to support reading, writing and communication

• High expectations with challenge and stretch opportunities

Enrichment & Assessment

Pupils’ progress in English is assessed continuously through observation, formative tasks, writing portfolios, reading records and spelling assessments. Summative measures, including NGRT, NGST and PTE tests, complement ongoing teacher assessment. Pupils are encouraged to self-assess, set targets and reflect on their learning.

Enrichment opportunities allow pupils to apply and celebrate their literacy skills beyond the classroom, including:

• Themed days and weeks such as World Book Day, National Poetry Day and Michael Rosen Day

• Whole-school writing competitions

• Visits from published authors and touring theatre groups

• Creative Writing, Poetry, Journaling and Newspaper clubs

• Educational trips linked to literature and drama

• Reading challenges and library initiatives to promote reading for pleasure

These opportunities not only enhance pupils’ learning but also form a key part of assessment by providing authentic contexts to demonstrate skills, creativity and progress.

Celebrating Achievement

Pupils’ achievements in English are recognised through house points, certificates, commendations and displays of excellent work. Writing and reading successes are shared with peers, parents and the wider school community, and end-of-year prizes celebrate both attainment and effort in English.