English

English Curriculum Statement

What does it mean to be truly literate? How can the power of words shape the world around us? At Sikh Heritage Girls School, we believe that English is not just a subject—it is the foundation of communication, creativity, and critical thought. Through reading, writing, and spoken language, our pupils develop the skills and confidence to express themselves fluently and articulately, equipping them for success in education and life.

Our Intent

At SHGS, we believe that English unlocks the door to learning across the curriculum and is fundamental to our pupils’ success in all subjects. We aim to cultivate a love of reading and writing, instilling in our pupils the confidence to use language effectively for a range of purposes. Our goal is for every pupil to leave Year 6 as a confident, articulate communicator with a passion for literature, a broad vocabulary, and the ability to navigate and interpret texts with discernment.

We place a strong emphasis on oracy, ensuring that pupils can express themselves with clarity, confidence, and a deep understanding of language. Through exposure to high-quality texts and purposeful discussions, pupils develop a sophisticated grasp of vocabulary and syntax, enabling them to communicate effectively in both written and spoken forms.

We encourage our pupils to ask questions such as: How do stories shape our understanding of the world? What makes a text persuasive? How does an author’s choice of language influence the reader? These lines of enquiry inspire curiosity and deepen comprehension, ensuring that our pupils engage meaningfully with texts.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that pupils:

  • Become fluent, confident readers who read widely and with enjoyment.

  • Write with accuracy, creativity, and purpose for a range of audiences.

  • Develop strong spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills.

  • Speak with confidence, adapting their language for different contexts and audiences.

  • Appreciate the richness and diversity of English literature, including works from different cultures and time periods.

  • Recognise the power of language in shaping perspectives and influencing change.

We follow the National Curriculum, using the Cornerstones Curriculum to ensure clear progression in reading and writing skills. Our approach is inclusive, supporting all pupils through tailored scaffolding while challenging our most able learners to think critically and creatively.

What Does Implementation Look Like?

Reading, writing, and spoken language are embedded across our curriculum, ensuring that pupils develop these essential skills in all subjects.

Reading

  • Daily Class Reading: Pupils engage with a range of high-quality texts, from classic literature to contemporary works, ensuring exposure to diverse voices and perspectives.

  • Phonics: Pupils begin their reading journey in Year 1 with Twinkl Phonics, systematically developing decoding and fluency skills.

  • Guided Reading & Fluency Lessons: In KS2, pupils engage in regular guided reading sessions, exploring texts in depth and enhancing their comprehension through discussion and analysis.

  • “Choosey Tuesday”: A dedicated time where children bring in any text they love—maps, menus, comics, or novels—to share and celebrate the joy of reading.

  • A Wide Reading Diet: Pupils have access to a diverse range of texts, including Collins Big Cat Books, non-fiction, poetry, playscripts, and culturally rich literature. We encourage independent reading with both structured and free-choice book selections.

  • Digital Reading & Librarian Sessions: Pupils regularly connect with a local librarian via Teams to discover new books and make informed reading choices.

Writing

  • Composition & Structure: Pupils are explicitly taught how to craft their writing, from planning and drafting to revising and publishing.

  • Nelson Handwriting Scheme: Pupils develop a fluent, legible script to support their writing skills.

  • Grammar & Vocabulary: Through explicit teaching and contextual learning, pupils build a sophisticated understanding of sentence construction, punctuation, and ambitious vocabulary.

  • Cross-Curricular Links: Pupils apply their writing skills across the curriculum, creating persuasive speeches in history, scientific reports in science, and explanatory texts in geography.

Spoken Language & Oracy

  • Talk for Learning Prompts: These encourage structured discussions and the confident articulation of ideas.

  • Debate & Drama: Pupils participate in discussions, debates, and role-play activities to refine their verbal reasoning and presentation skills.

  • High-Quality Vocabulary: Subject-specific vocabulary is embedded throughout the curriculum, ensuring that pupils express themselves with precision and confidence.

Equity, Challenge & Real-World Learning

We scaffold learning through:

  • Pre-teaching vocabulary to support comprehension.

  • Worked examples & model texts to guide writing development.

  • Oral rehearsal & sentence stems to support structured discussion.

  • Challenge tasks for more able pupils, encouraging depth of thought and sophisticated language use. We enter pupils into national competions for writing and public speaking!

  • Real-world opportunities, such as visiting authors, poetry recitals, and writing for real audiences, inspire pupils to see the relevance of English in their future careers.

  • Learning Outside the Classroom: Pupils engage in storytelling workshops, Shakespeare performances, and library visits to enrich their experience of language and literature.

Our Impact

By the time pupils leave SHGS, they are:

  • Avid readers who enjoy a wide range of literature and can discuss books with enthusiasm and insight.

  • Confident writers who can adapt their writing for different audiences and purposes.

  • Articulate speakers who express ideas clearly and thoughtfully, demonstrating high levels of oracy.

  • Critical thinkers who can analyse and evaluate texts, recognising the power of language in shaping ideas and arguments.

  • Fluent in grammar and spelling, applying these skills across all subjects with accuracy and confidence.

Future Careers

Through our English curriculum, we are nurturing the writers, journalists, lawyers, teachers, public speakers, and storytellers of the future. Our pupils leave us equipped with the literacy skills needed to succeed in any career path they choose, whether they become authors, broadcasters, or leaders in their field.

At SHGS, we are Born to Love, Live to Do—and in English, this means embracing the power of words to inform, inspire, and transform. Our pupils recognise that language is more than just a tool—it is a force for understanding, persuasion, and change in the world.

References:

  • Alexander, R. (2020). Towards Dialogic Teaching: Rethinking Classroom Talk. Cambridge: Dialogos.

  • Myhill, D. & Jones, S. (2018). Writing Conversations: Fostering Metalinguistic Discussion about Writing. Research Papers in Education, 33(3), 312-329.