English

English Curriculum Intent Statement

Introduction

At Barrowford School, we believe that a strong command of the English language is fundamental to our learners’ academic success and personal development. Our English curriculum is designed to foster a love of reading, writing, and oracy, empowering our diverse community of learners to communicate effectively and confidently in all aspects of their lives.

Key Aims

Our English curriculum aims to:

• Develop learners’ fluency in phonics, reading, and writing through a systematic and structured approach
• Cultivate a deep appreciation for high-quality literature and a lifelong passion for reading
• Enable learners to express themselves clearly and coherently, both verbally and in written form
• Build learners’ vocabulary, grammar, and spelling skills to support their academic progress across the curriculum
• Provide opportunities for learners to develop their oracy skills and become confident communicators

Content and Skills

Our English curriculum is underpinned by the national curriculum and the Lancashire Key Learning statements, ensuring that our learners acquire the essential knowledge and skills required for success. We follow the Essential Letters and Sounds programme for systematic phonics instruction, complemented by high-quality reading resources that align with the sounds being taught.

Carefully planned writing sequences are linked to engaging, diverse texts, allowing learners to develop their composition skills while exploring a range of genres and purposes. Our teaching sequences incorporate reading, content gathering, planning, writing, reviewing, and editing, fostering learners’ ability to write with clarity, coherence, and purpose.

Oracy is at the heart of our English curriculum, with dedicated sessions that develop learners’ speaking and listening skills. We are proud to be an Oracy Centre of Excellence, ensuring that all learners have opportunities to express their ideas, engage in discussions, and become confident communicators.

Progression

As learners progress through Key Stages 1 and 2, our English curriculum builds upon their foundational skills, gradually increasing the complexity and challenge. Learners will explore more sophisticated texts, expand their vocabulary, and refine their writing techniques to meet the demands of the national curriculum.

Wider Impact

The strong foundation in English that our learners develop at Barrowford School will not only support their academic success but also empower them to become active and engaged citizens. By fostering excellent communication skills, a love of literature, and a deep understanding of the English language, we are preparing our learners for the next stage of their educational journey and equipping them with the tools to thrive in the wider world.

Download English Curriculum Intent Statement (.docx)