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

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

Santa is Stuck – 04/12/25

Every year our lovely Art Teaching Assistant creates a Christmas themed display for our learners to enjoy. This year she has designed a fantastic fireplace

Feeling Festive – 28/11/25

Our equine department has already been getting into the Christmas spirit. Our horses received an extra pamper this week as they dazzled in tinsel.

Ladder Tennis – 11/11/25

Our lower school learners have been working hard to create a new activity for our land craft site. They learned how to use a