“The limits of my language are the limits of my world” (Ludwig Wittgenstein).

Our English curriculum has been designed to empower all children to achieve their potential as readers and authors. We want children to enjoy and appreciate literature for all of its rich variety whilst absorbing the artistic styles and golden threads that run through the many areas of fiction and non-fiction. They will hone their craft as authors, learning to control the reader, taking them on journeys, entertaining them and leaving them speechless.

Through a range of approaches, we will expand children’s vocabularies and language to give them the voice they need to articulate their ideas, challenge perspectives and feel a sense of belonging in the world. 

Our English curriculum weaves reading, grammar and writing together, through a rich integrated learning journey that provides a purpose, context and audience for learning.  The English Learning Journey is planned around exploring the ‘golden threads’ of a ‘rich read’ text (the key composition and effect themes and conventions), allowing children to develop a depth of understanding of each genre and become masters of their craft. In addition, we have daily reading lessons, with an oracy focus, that allow children to improve reading fluency while also developing their inference skills, exploring language and learning together. After all, learning is a social activity: “[It is] through others that we become ourselves” (Vygotsky). 

At Abbotswood, our English Curriculum will remove the limits that a lack of language can create and give them access to the world in all of its splendour.