Our vision — Every Child a Reader — drives a curriculum that nurtures confident readers, imaginative storytellers, and purposeful writers. In the Early Years and Key Stage 1, we build strong foundations in language through Read Write Inc. Phonics, alongside clear letter formation. These early skills support fluency, comprehension, and a lifelong love of reading.
As children progress, they continue to develop accuracy and independence through Read Write Inc. Spelling from Year 2 onwards. High-quality texts inspire them to read widely and write for a range of real-world purposes—whether crafting persuasive arguments, telling stories, or sharing ideas. Through a rich, language-driven environment, we promote the belief that quality reading leads to quality writing, empowering every child to find their voice and use it with confidence and purpose.
In Nursery, pupils begin to explore geography by learning about their immediate surroundings and the people and places that are familiar to them. They talk about their homes, families, and what they see on their way to school. Through stories, photos, and simple maps, they begin to understand that different people live in different kinds of homes and places. Pupils enjoy seasonal walks where they observe changes in the weather and nature, helping them to notice how the world around them changes over time. They also begin to explore different environments through play and storytelling, such as forests, farms, and oceans, laying the foundation for understanding the wider world.
In Reception, pupils build on their early experiences by exploring a broader view of the world. They learn to describe their local environment using maps, drawings, and digital tools, and begin to compare it with other places around the world. Pupils talk about different types of weather, landscapes, and homes, and they begin to understand that people live in many different ways depending on where they are. Through engaging topics such as journeys, habitats, and space, they explore how environments vary and how they can be cared for. Seasonal walks and photo comparisons help them observe and describe changes over time, encouraging curiosity and a growing awareness of the world beyond their own community.
In Year 1, children build on their early literacy foundations through the Read Write Inc. (RWI) Phonics programme, which provides a structured and engaging approach to reading and writing. Daily phonics lessons are tailored to each child’s progress, helping them become fluent readers and confident writers. As their skills develop, children begin to write for a range of purposes, both fiction and non-fiction. Through exciting projects such as writing a sea explorer’s diary and sending persuasive letters to Greenpeace, they learn that writing can be used to tell stories, share ideas, and make a difference. Year 1 nurtures creativity, independence, and a growing understanding of how language works, setting the stage for future success in English.
Year 2 is a year of growing confidence and creativity in writing. Children explore a wide range of writing styles and purposes, including descriptive writing, diary entries, letters, interviews, writing in role, narratives, menus, persuasive texts, book reviews, recounts, and poetry. These varied opportunities help children understand how writing can be used to express thoughts, share experiences, and influence others. Writing continues to be supported through the Read Write Inc. phonics and spelling programme, which strengthens their grasp of spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. As their independence grows, children begin to take more ownership of their ideas, developing clarity and imagination in their written work. Year 2 lays the foundation for children to see themselves as authors, using language to communicate with purpose and flair.
In Year 3, children grow as independent writers, exploring a variety of exciting opportunities to express their ideas. They develop storytelling skills through National and Trust-wide 500-word competitions, while also becoming confident in non-fiction writing, creating leaflets, posters, and other purposeful texts. A strong focus on handwriting ensures their growing ideas are presented clearly and consistently. Grammar is taught in meaningful contexts, helping children craft more precise and effective sentences. Reading continues to underpin all writing, with children using Accelerated Reader independently to choose books that match their level and interests, both at school and at home. This supports vocabulary development and fuels their creativity. Children also begin to explore script writing and podcast creation, blending traditional literacy with digital communication. Year 3 is a pivotal year where writing becomes a powerful tool for expression, imagination, and real-world communication.
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