English

Our English Curriculum

Intent

Our English curriculum is designed to nurture a love of reading and writing through enabling our learners to embed key knowledge and skills in speaking (oracy), reading and writing.

Reading

Please see the subject page for 'Phonics and Reading' for further detail on our Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Reading curriculum.

Oracy

We place an emphasis on ‘talking’ to ensure all pupils have the knowledge, including correct use of grammar, required to progress as able readers and writers by ultimately talking ‘like a writer’.

Our speaking and listening curriculum and Oracy Progression Map can be viewed below.

Writing Curriculum at Pimperne Primary

At Pimperne, we follow a mastery approach to English. We use the 'Pathways to Write' programme from YR-Y6, which is designed to equip pupils with the key skills needed to move successfully through the writing process and achieve high-quality outcomes.

The programme is built around carefully structured units of work based on high-quality texts, ensuring that English lessons are engaging, purposeful and inspiring. Each unit follows a mastery approach, with detailed lesson plans and resources that support the systematic development of writing skills. Children in all year groups are given a wide range of opportunities to write for different purposes and audiences.

Writing skills are developed progressively through regular practice and repetition within each unit. As children revisit and refine key skills, they gain confidence and are able to apply their learning independently in a variety of writing activities. This approach helps to secure deep learning and supports children in becoming effective, confident writers.

A key feature of 'Pathways to Write' is its strong emphasis on vocabulary development. Through exposure to rich, high-quality texts and carefully planned learning experiences, children are encouraged to broaden and deepen their vocabulary. This complements the extensive work we do across the school to provide pupils with rich and varied language experiences, enabling them to communicate effectively in both spoken and written forms.

You will find the end-of-year expectations for writing, reading and spoken language for each year group in the accompanying documents.

Each term, the texts and skills your child will be learning about will be shared in our class curriculum learning letters. These will be emailed out via the MCAS App and can also be found on the Parent/Carers Tab and Class Information pages.

Each unit covers a range of areas from the National Curriculum:

Mastery of vocabulary, grammar and punctuation skills
Writing in a range of genres throughout the year
Development of Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary
Use of a wider range of reading comprehension strategies in whole-class sessions
Spoken language activities, including drama and presentations
Opportunities to practise previously taught genres
Short-burst writing activities and an extended independent piece of writing

This process follows three stages. Each session is broken down into small steps and taught following the sequence of our learning cycle.

The Gateway (1-2 sessions)

The Gateway is a ‘hook’ session designed to intrigue and enthuse young writers.
Objects, people, images or role-play are used to stimulate questions about the chosen text.
Pupils discuss and make predictions about the text.
Together, the class establishes the purpose and audience for the writing.
Through a short writing task, previously taught mastery skills are assessed to inform teaching.

The Pathway (10 sessions)

Pupils are introduced to new writing skills from their year group curriculum.
Opportunities are provided to practise and apply newly learnt skills through oral tasks and both short and extended writing activities, including character descriptions, poetry, dialogue, fact files and diary entries written in role.
Writers are challenged through a wider range of tasks, such as changing form, viewpoint and audience.

Writeaway (4 sessions)

A fiction or non-fiction outcome is produced, covering a wide range of genres and themes throughout the year.
Model texts are explored collaboratively to identify key features.
Extended pieces of writing are planned and written, enabling pupils to apply the mastery skills they have been taught.
Writing is edited, redrafted and published or performed for a chosen audience.

Handwriting and Letter Formation

The Writing Framework 2025 states: 'Handwriting instruction should start at the beginning of reception, alongside phonics, and continue throughout the reception year and beyond.'

In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 we use the Little Wandle Handwriting scheme. Handwriting is a core phonics skill and an essential part of learning phonics. Letter recognition develops faster when children write real letters, enabling them to learn how to read sooner. Teachers introduce regular explicit handwriting instruction, in addition to phonics, early in reception.

From Year 3 and across Key Stage 2, we use the Letter-join handwriting scheme, this compliments the earlier learning well and we have ensured progression in handwriting through each year group and across the school. In addition to a good phonics programme that will teach children to recognise letters and spell words, we have an agreed, whole-school approach to teaching handwriting so that children have the best chance to learn to handwrite.

Each handwriting session is taught in small, progressive steps, focusing on legible letter formation and pencil grip, starting in reception and continuing through the school.Handwriting lessons across the school, are taught explicitly:

Reception and Year 1: short lessons on a daily basis (10-15 minutes).

Year 2: three lessons per week (15-20 minutes).

Years 3 and 4: two lessons per week (20-30 minutes).

Years 5 and 6: more advanced handwriting techniques taught during two weekly lessons (30-40 minutes).

Further Information

Words for Life | National Literacy Trust

Activities and support for parents, children and young people to improve language, literacy and communication skills from home.

Words For Life