English at Adderley Primary School
At Adderley, we follow the National Curriculum Programmes of Study for reading, writing, and spoken language. Our pupils develop their English skills through engaging, creative curriculum lessons delivered daily.
Reading
A strong foundation in speaking and reading is essential, as it underpins all aspects of language development. Therefore, in Early Years and Year 1, we place significant emphasis on developing pupils’ speaking and listening skills alongside learning to read using phonics.
Phonics
Phonics is the method of teaching children how to read by understanding the relationship between sounds and letters. We follow the Little Wandle Phonics Scheme, which systematically introduces pupils to letter sounds before progressing to more complex sounds such as oo, ou, th, ch, gr, pl, and beyond. This structured approach enables children to decode unfamiliar words confidently.
As pupils become proficient in phonics, they also learn high-frequency words—common words they need to recognise and spell instantly. Mastering both phonics and high-frequency words equips pupils with the skills to begin Guided Reading. During Guided Reading, pupils read in small groups with a teacher, who asks targeted questions to develop their comprehension skills.
Supporting Reading at Home
Pupils who read regularly at home with an adult tend to excel in reading and writing. Regular reading practice enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency, fostering a lifelong love of reading. We strongly encourage parents to engage in shared reading experiences with their children.
- Here is our Reading Curriculum Map.
- For useful information on high-frequency words, visit this website.
Writing
At Adderley, pupils develop their writing skills by engaging in a variety of purposeful writing tasks. They learn to write confidently across different genres, including:
- Narrative Writing: Stories, myths, and legends
- Non-Fiction Writing: Reports, explanations, arguments, and interviews
- Creative Writing: Poetry, riddles, and speeches
- Personal Writing: Letters, diaries, and descriptions
- Here is our Writing Curriculum Map.
To track progress, pupils are assessed in reading and writing every half term. Every child knows their individual targets and what steps they need to take to achieve them. If you are unsure about your child’s current level or targets, please speak with their teacher.
For more details on the specific writing genres your child is learning, please refer to the Parent Curriculum Information section of our website.
At Adderley, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils develop strong literacy skills that will support their learning across all subjects and prepare them for future success.