English Curriculum
"We believe in education in its broadest sense because it has the power to change and improve peoples’ lives."
Intent
At Marine Park Primary, we provide a high‑quality English curriculum that develops children’s love of reading, writing and discussion. We value and respect the cultural and linguistic identities of all pupils and use these to enrich learning. Our aim is to develop confident, articulate communicators who can understand and use English competently across the curriculum.
We expect our pupils to become fluent, enthusiastic readers who read widely, express preferences, and discuss texts with insight. Through the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme, children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 learn to decode confidently, using secure phonic knowledge and syllable division. By the end of Year 2, pupils are confident decoders who can access age‑appropriate texts with increasing independence. As pupils move beyond phonics, they transition to Accelerated Reader, enabling them to access a broad range of high‑quality texts that remain closely matched to their reading ability while promoting independence, motivation and reading for pleasure.
Reading is the golden thread that runs throughout our English curriculum. In addition to reading being embedded within every English lesson, pupils take part in three dedicated whole‑class reading sessions per week, where they explore rich, ambitious texts that develop vocabulary, background knowledge, inference, retrieval and authorial intent. To strengthen fluency, stamina and prosody, pupils also participate in daily reading fluency sessions, ensuring they read with accuracy, expression and understanding.
We are a Voice 21 school, committed to developing pupils’ oracy so they can speak confidently, listen actively and communicate effectively. Oracy is woven throughout our reading and writing curriculum: pupils rehearse ideas aloud, engage in structured talk, and use spoken language to deepen comprehension and shape their writing.
We nurture a culture where children take pride in their writing. Pupils learn to write with confidence, accuracy and creativity for a range of purposes and audiences. They develop secure grammatical knowledge, apply spelling patterns accurately and write using a neat, fluent handwriting style. By the time pupils leave Marine Park, they are competent readers and writers who can recommend books, discuss authorial choices, and express themselves clearly and confidently. Our expectation is that pupils apply these English skills across all areas of the curriculum and into their future education.
Implementation
At Marine Park, we want all pupils to be capable readers, writers, spellers and speakers who can transfer their English skills to other subjects and are well prepared for the next steps in their education. Our English lessons develop spoken language, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary, and are often taught in a cross‑curricular way.
Speaking and Listening (Oracy)
Speaking and listening permeate the whole curriculum. As a Voice 21 school, we use structured talk strategies to engage all pupils and raise reading and writing standards. Children develop effective communication skills through discussion, oral rehearsal, debate and presentation. These skills are applied across subjects, demonstrating deeper understanding and consolidation. Pupils regularly share and evaluate work aloud, strengthening confidence and oracy.
Reading
Reading is central to our curriculum and is celebrated throughout the school. Classrooms feature inviting, well‑resourced reading spaces and collections of diverse, high‑quality texts that reflect a range of cultures, experiences and voices. We also enrich pupils’ reading experiences by regularly taking them to the local library, helping them develop independence, broaden their reading choices and engage with the wider reading community.
Early Reading and Phonics
Children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 learn early reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, delivered through daily phonics sessions and matched decodable books. Continuous blending, repeated practice and regular assessment ensure children progress securely through the programme. Early comprehension, vocabulary and storytelling are strengthened through high‑quality texts, story sessions and language‑rich provision.
Whole‑Class Reading and Fluency
Reading is central to our curriculum and is celebrated throughout the school. Pupils take part in three whole‑class reading sessions per week, exploring fiction, non‑fiction and poetry. These sessions develop fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and critical thinking. Pupils also participate in daily reading fluency sessions, focusing on pace, expression, accuracy and stamina.
Independent Reading
Once pupils complete the phonics programme, they move to Accelerated Reader, accessing a wide range of high‑quality texts matched to their reading level. Regular quizzing supports comprehension and encourages reading for pleasure. Class libraries, reading bands and daily story time at 3:00pm further promote a love of reading.
Spelling
Spelling is taught through a structured and consistent approach across the school. In Year 1, spelling is embedded within Little Wandle phonics, ensuring children learn spelling patterns cumulatively and securely as part of their early reading development. To strengthen this further, Year 1 also uses Spelling Shed to supplement Little Wandle, providing additional practice, consolidation and engagement.
From Year 2 onwards, pupils follow Spelling Shed as their main spelling programme. This offers a systematic, progressive and highly engaging approach that builds on prior learning and supports accuracy, retention and application. Carefully planned practice, clear routines and regular revision help pupils develop confidence and independence in spelling throughout their time at Marine Park.
Writing
We follow a reading‑into‑writing model, ensuring pupils draw on high‑quality texts as models for their own writing. Pupils write for real purposes and audiences, developing flair, creativity and effective composition. Writing is supported through modelled, shared and guided sessions, film and imagery, ICT, peer discussion and oral rehearsal. Pupils see themselves as authors and poets, and their writing is celebrated and shared.
Handwriting is taught regularly, ensuring pupils develop a neat, fluent cursive style. Extended writing is marked rigorously, with pupils encouraged to edit, improve and consolidate learning.
Enrichment
We provide a wealth of enrichment opportunities including author visits, creative writing competitions, reading clubs, bedtime book boxes, World Book Day events and book sales. These experiences promote reading for pleasure and provide positive literacy role models.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous and purposeful. Teachers use verbal feedback, active marking, written feedback and questioning to assess understanding. Writing is moderated within school and across the Tyne and Wear Learning Trust, ensuring secure and consistent judgements.
Assessment identifies gaps, informs planning and ensures interventions close attainment gaps. Leaders use assessment information to maintain high standards of English teaching.
Impact
As a result of our intent and implementation, we have a community of enthusiastic readers and writers who recognise their progress, take risks and enjoy celebrating their achievements. Pupils’ attainment is in line with or exceeds their potential, considering varied starting points. Rigorous assessment ensures early intervention and supports pupils to make strong progress in reading, writing and speaking and listening.
Our English curriculum ensures pupils are academically prepared for life beyond primary school and equipped with the literacy skills needed for future success.