English
Language is the key that unlocks learning. At Bawnmore, English lies at the heart of our curriculum because the ability to read, write, speak, and listen with confidence opens doors to every other subject and lays the foundation for success in later life. From their very first days in school, children are immersed in a language-rich environment where communication, vocabulary, and a love of stories are central to every day.
Curriculum
Our English curriculum is ambitious, inclusive, and carefully sequenced from Early Years to Year 2. A golden thread runs through everything we do—strong relationships, emotional wellbeing, and a sense of belonging—because we know these are the foundations for confident communication.
We aim to nurture children who:
- Read fluently and enjoy books
- Write with confidence and purpose
- Speak and listen thoughtfully in a range of contexts
High-quality texts are at the centre of our teaching, chosen to spark curiosity, build vocabulary, and develop comprehension across all subjects. Children apply and develop their English skills through meaningful tasks that connect learning across the wider curriculum.
Teaching
Teaching in English is dynamic and engaging, combining structured approaches with rich opportunities for creativity and discussion. Our approach includes:
- Daily phonics using Floppy’s Phonics to build strong foundations in reading and spelling
- Talk for Writing to develop writing through oral rehearsal, drama, and modelled examples
- Book Talk, guided reading, and daily story time to foster a love of reading
- Explicit teaching of spelling, handwriting, and grammar
- Regular opportunities for speaking, listening, and performance across all subjects
Individual support and targeted interventions ensure every child, including those with additional needs, is supported to succeed.
Achievement
By the end of Year 2, our children are:
- Enthusiastic, fluent readers who enjoy books and talk confidently about what they read
- Independent, creative writers who can communicate ideas for different purposes and audiences
- Confident speakers and attentive listeners who can express their thoughts clearly
- Resilient learners with a love of language and the skills to thrive at junior school
SEND and Inclusion
We are committed to ensuring all children succeed in English. Adaptations may include:
- Pre-teaching of texts and vocabulary
- Targeted reading interventions
- Scaffolded writing tasks
- Individual or small-group phonics and comprehension support
Full details of our English curriculum can be found in our English Curriculum Document.
