English

Pupils follow a programme of study closely linked to the new National Curriculum centred on a range of whole texts with an emphasis on text-type writing. For pupils who are still developing-readers, more emphasis is placed on literacy skills, phonics and reading practice. Our daily morning reading intervention sessions and use of the graduated reading programmes also enhance the development of literacy.

Curriculum Overview

Topics Topics
Years 4-6 Differentiated programme
Years 7-9 Differentiated programme Autumn Term – first half:

  • Assessment
  • Words! Words! Words! A fun history of the English language
  • Root words, prefixes, suffixes, antonyms, synonyms
  • Individual graduated readers and workbooks for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Programmes used include Phonic Books, Fast Forward and Head Start

Autumn Term – second half:

  • War poets and creative Autumn poetry
  • language features, descriptive writing.
  • A Christmas Carol
  • Individual graduated readers and workbooks for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Programmes used include Phonic Books, Fast Forward and Head Start

Spring Term – first half:

  • Class fiction books – class topic. Books may include: The Savage, Grandpa’s Great Escape,
  • World Book Day (Whole School activities with events)
  • Individual graduated readers and workbooks for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Programmes used include Phonic Books, Fast Forward and Head Start

Spring Term – second half:

  • Shakespeare in context – his life and times
  • A Shakespeare play study: eg: Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth
  • Individual graduated readers and workbooks for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Programmes used include Phonic Books, Fast Forward and Head Start

Summer Term – first half:

  • Poetry – topics include Slam Poetry, descriptive and themed poetry
  • Individual graduated readers and workbooks for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Programmes used include Phonic Books, Fast Forward and Head Start

Summer Term – second half:

  • Imaginative writing: Summer short story / graphic story competition
  • Individual graduated readers and workbooks for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Programmes used include Phonic Books, Fast Forward and Head Start
10 & 11 The pathway for years 10 and 11: is GCSE English Language

News & Stories

Careers Program – 16/10/25

Some of our learners visited Orchard Nurseries as part of the careers program. This gave them an opportunity to explore careers within horticulture. They were shown

Horticulture Apple Juicing – 07/10/25

At Philpots Manor School we have a number of different varieties of apple trees spread across our site. Our learners have enjoyed picking, crushing and

Guinea Pigs – 30/09/25

We recently had two gorgeous guinea pigs come to stay with us. Their names are Spirit and Dozer. They are just 20 weeks old

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