English at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School

At St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, we are committed to providing a high-quality English curriculum that equips children with the skills and confidence to communicate effectively, engage with a wide range of literature, and develop a lifelong love of reading and writing. We follow the CUSP English Curriculum, which is carefully designed to ensure progression, depth, and enjoyment for all pupils.

Intent

Our English curriculum aims to:

• Develop fluent, confident readers who can access and appreciate a wide variety of texts.
• Equip children with the writing skills to express themselves clearly, creatively, and for a range of purposes.
• Build a secure understanding of grammar, punctuation, and spelling to support writing.
• Ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND or EAL, make excellent progress in English and are fully prepared for the next stage of their education.

Implementation

• CUSP Reading and Writing Curriculum: The curriculum is structured to ensure progression in reading, writing, grammar, and spelling across all year groups. Units are sequenced to build on prior knowledge and develop essential skills.
• High-Quality Texts: Pupils engage with carefully chosen core texts that reflect a range of genres, cultures, and themes. These texts form the foundation for both reading comprehension and writing activities.
• Focused Writing Units: Each unit includes clear objectives for specific writing forms, such as narrative, persuasive writing, explanatory texts, and poetry. Writing units are integrated with reading to enhance understanding and creativity.
• Daily Opportunities for Reading and Writing: Children are immersed in a rich literacy environment, with dedicated time for shared reading, guided reading, independent writing, and discussion.
• Assessment and Feedback: Regular assessments ensure that progress is monitored, and feedback is used to address gaps in learning.

Supporting SEND Learners in English

At St Catherine’s, we are committed to inclusive practices that support all learners. For children with SEND or additional needs, we:

• Differentiate Tasks: Lessons are designed to include scaffolding and visual aids to ensure accessibility for all pupils.
• Focus on Mastery: Pupils are given sufficient time to consolidate their understanding of key skills before progressing.
• Encourage Oral Rehearsal: Speaking and listening activities are incorporated to help children articulate their ideas before writing.
• Provide Targeted Support: Additional interventions are offered to support reading fluency, comprehension, and writing.

Impact

• High Standards: Our pupils consistently achieve high standards in reading and writing, reflecting the rigorous and engaging curriculum.
• Confident Communicators: Children leave St Catherine’s as articulate communicators, able to use English effectively in a variety of contexts.
• Lifelong Readers and Writers: Pupils develop a genuine love of reading and writing, which enriches their academic and personal lives.

EYFS

In Reception, children build the foundations for literacy through phonics, storytime, and language-rich activities. They develop early reading and writing skills that prepare them for Key Stage 1.

Key Stage 1 and 2

From Years 1 to 6, pupils engage with the CUSP English Curriculum, exploring a wide range of texts and developing their writing skills. Each term focuses on specific genres and skills, including narratives, reports, letters, and poetry, ensuring a broad and balanced approach.

Resources and Parental Support

• Core Texts: The CUSP curriculum includes high-quality texts that inspire and challenge pupils.
• Home Engagement: Parents are encouraged to support their child’s reading and writing through shared activities and access to school resources.

We are proud of the achievements of our pupils in English and remain committed to providing a curriculum that inspires and equips them for the future. For more information about our English curriculum, or to arrange a visit, please contact the school office.