At Smallthorne Primary Academy, English lies at the heart of our curriculum. We believe that the ability to read, write and communicate effectively underpins all learning and is central to developing confident, creative and articulate learners.
Our intent is to foster a love of reading and an appreciation of literature that broadens imagination, deepens understanding, and strengthens empathy. Reading is the foundation of all learning; through high-quality texts, children encounter diverse voices, cultures and experiences that inspire curiosity and shape their own ideas.
Writing is taught with clarity and purpose through the PVPG model (Place Value of Punctuation and Grammar), ensuring every child understands why they are writing, how to structure and enrich language, and what choices make their writing effective. This consistent approach supports children in becoming confident authors who can write for different audiences and purposes across the curriculum.
Texts are carefully selected to link with topic work from the Character and Arts Curriculum, providing meaningful, creative contexts for learning that connect English to History, Geography, Science and the Arts. This cross-curricular approach ensures children see themselves as readers, writers and thinkers — developing both academic and character strengths such as curiosity, perseverance and reflection.
Our English curriculum is structured around a carefully sequenced progression of reading and writing skills from EYFS to Year 6, ensuring that children build upon prior knowledge and develop mastery over time.
Reading is prioritised across the school:
Early reading is taught through high-quality phonics (Animaphonics), ensuring all children become fluent and confident readers.
Daily reading opportunities, guided sessions, and story time nurture comprehension, enjoyment and fluency.
Each year group studies a core text linked to their topic, allowing children to explore rich vocabulary, complex themes and creative responses through art, drama and writing.
Writing is taught through the PVPG approach, which ensures consistency and clarity:
Purpose – Children understand the reason for writing (to entertain, inform, persuade or discuss).
Vocabulary – Teachers explicitly teach ambitious vocabulary from class texts, encouraging children to experiment with word choices.
Punctuation and Grammar – Skills are embedded in meaningful contexts rather than isolated exercises, ensuring transfer into independent writing.
Opportunities to edit, improve and perform writing help children refine accuracy and express their ideas with confidence.
Inclusivity and high expectations are embedded in every lesson. Adaptive strategies, visual scaffolds, oral rehearsal and targeted support ensure that all learners — including those with SEND and EAL — can access and succeed within the English curriculum.
Regular opportunities for speaking and listening, debate, and performance support language development and confidence, strengthening the heart and hand aspects of learning within our Character and Arts Curriculum.
By the time pupils leave Smallthorne Primary Academy, they will have become:
Confident, fluent readers who read for both pleasure and purpose, demonstrating strong comprehension and an appreciation of a wide range of authors and genres.
Articulate writers who can communicate clearly, creatively and effectively, using vocabulary, punctuation and grammar with control and flair.
Thoughtful and reflective learners who use reading and writing to explore ideas, express opinions and connect with the wider world.
Empathetic individuals who value diversity, understand different perspectives, and demonstrate resilience in their learning.
The impact of our English curriculum is measured through:
High levels of engagement and enjoyment in reading and writing.
Pupils’ ability to transfer PVPG skills across subjects and genres.
Progress in fluency and comprehension, assessed through regular reading checks and comprehension tasks.
Improvement in writing outcomes, seen through independent, purposeful writing that reflects clarity, structure and creativity.
Pupil voice and book scrutiny that show children are proud of their work and recognise themselves as both readers and writers.
Through our English curriculum, children learn not just the mechanics of reading and writing, but the joy, confidence and character that come from finding their own voice — enabling them to Smile, Strive and Shine
From Nursery to Year 2, every child has a daily Phonics lesson using the Animaphonics scheme in order to help them achieve the above. Â Please click the links below to see an overview of this scheme.