Primary English Overview

English encompasses a broad range of interconnected skills, including reading, writing, speaking and listening. It is a creative, imaginative and expressive subject that enables children to communicate effectively, develop their ideas and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

The English National Curriculum aims to develop pupils to speak, read and write fluently and confidently, enabling them to communicate effectively and access the wider curriculum. Through high-quality literature, pupils develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually, while building the knowledge and vocabulary needed to become lifelong readers and writers.

At Al Basma, pupils receive five one-hour English lessons each week, incorporating a range of high-quality teaching approaches, including Talk for Writing to develop oral language, vocabulary and writing. Reading is further developed through Whole Class Reading, where pupils build fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and a love of reading. Rich vocabulary encountered through reading is revisited and applied in pupils' speaking and writing, strengthening the connection between reading and writing. Across each year group, pupils have access to a wide range of high-quality fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts within their classrooms, and weekly visits to the school library further promote reading for pleasure and encourage pupils to explore and enjoy a diverse range of books.

Children are encouraged to continue their learning at home through Bug Club, our online reading platform, where books are matched to each child's reading level, and EdShed, which provides engaging opportunities to practise and consolidate weekly spelling patterns.

All children in Key Stage 1 receive five one-hour English lessons each week, incorporating phonics, reading and writing. A range of approaches, including practical activities, role play and elements of Talk for Writing, are used to support the development of children's speaking, reading and writing skills. Daily reading is embedded within Read Write Inc. Phonics lessons, enabling pupils to practise decoding, build fluency and apply their phonics knowledge in context. Children also visit the school library weekly to foster a love of reading, broaden their reading experiences and encourage independent book choice.

All children in Key Stage 2 receive five one-hour English lessons each week. Lessons incorporate opportunities to develop reading, writing, speaking and listening, with practical approaches such as role play, drama and elements of Talk for Writing used to support reading, writing and speaking and listening skills. Reading is developed through Whole Class Reading, where teachers model fluent reading and support pupils in developing comprehension skills, including predicting, clarifying vocabulary, questioning, summarising and inference. Reading is also embedded across daily English lessons, providing regular opportunities for pupils to apply and deepen these skills in meaningful contexts. Pupils have access to a wide range of high-quality fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts within their year group areas, and weekly visits to the school library further promote reading for pleasure, broaden reading experiences and encourage independent book choice.