English
At Swan Lane First School, we aim to provide our children with an English curriculum that will enable them to become confident and accurate readers, creative and independent writers, and eloquent speakers. We equip them with the skills that they need in order to articulate their ideas, and express themselves with assurance and fluency both across the wider curriculum and at every step in their future lives.
Our approach to teaching of English is multi-faceted, incorporating oracy, drama, and high-quality literature. Our priority is to provide our children with all the skills and knowledge they need to articulate and express their ideas appropriately for any audience, and to be confidently literate in life.
We want all children to leave Swan Lane First School with a life-long love of reading and a love of books, because we know that reading will improve their vocabulary, inspire them creatively and improve their ability to write well. We teach them to read as writers and write as readers, as we believe this will enable them to reach their fullest potential, not only in English lessons but in expressing themselves across the wider curriculum. We teach our children the skills required to edit and improve their writing (spelling, grammar, punctuation and handwriting) to make it the very best it can be.
At Swan Lane First School, we believe that reading is the key to unlocking learning, imagination and opportunity. We aim to develop children who are not only confident and fluent readers, but who also develop a genuine love of books and a curiosity about the world around them.
Our reading curriculum is built around carefully chosen, high-quality texts that introduce children to a wide range of authors, genres, ideas and experiences. Through stories, poetry and non-fiction, children develop their vocabulary, knowledge and understanding while learning to think deeply about what they read.
From the earliest stages in Reception, children are taught to read through a systematic phonics programme using Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS). Children learn how letters and sounds work together and apply this knowledge through carefully matched decodable books, helping them to develop accuracy, confidence and fluency. Alongside phonics, children enjoy daily stories, rhymes, poems and rich discussions that build language and comprehension from the very beginning. You can find out more about Phonics teaching, and our Reception curriculum here.
As children progress through the school, they develop increasingly sophisticated reading skills. They learn to retrieve information, make predictions, explain ideas using evidence, explore vocabulary choices and consider how authors create meaning. Teachers model the thinking processes of skilled readers, helping children understand how to approach and respond to challenging texts.
Reading is not just taught during English lessons. We celebrate reading throughout school life through daily reading opportunities, shared class texts, book discussions and our school reading spine, ‘50 Books to Read at Swan Lane’ [hyperlink]. This ensures that children encounter a broad range of authors, characters, cultures and perspectives.
We want every child to leave Swan Lane as an enthusiastic and independent reader who sees books as a source of enjoyment, knowledge and inspiration.
Supporting Every Reader
Every child at Swan Lane is supported to become a successful reader. We recognise that children learn at different rates and carefully adapt our teaching to meet individual needs.
Teachers use assessment information to identify what children know and the next steps in their learning. Where children need additional support, targeted teaching is provided to strengthen specific skills such as phonics, fluency, vocabulary or comprehension.
Our aim is always to provide the right support while ensuring that all children continue to access ambitious books, rich vocabulary and exciting reading experiences.
You can find out more about our support for learners with additional needs by exploring our SEND policy [insert hyperlink]. Children with English as an Additional Language (EAL) are also supported in language acquisition. You can find more details of our provision for EAL learners here [insert hyperlink to EAL section of website.]
Our Library and Reading Spaces
We are proud of our newly refurbished school library, which provides a welcoming and inspiring space where children can explore a wide range of books. Each class visits the library regularly, giving pupils time to browse, choose books, discover new authors and develop their independence as readers.
The library contains a carefully selected collection of fiction, poetry and non-fiction books, supporting children’s learning across the curriculum while encouraging curiosity and a love of reading. Children are encouraged to talk about books, share recommendations and discover texts that interest and inspire them.
We have also created an outdoor reading cabin, providing children with an additional space to enjoy books during playtimes. The cabin gives pupils the opportunity to read independently, share stories with friends and make reading part of their everyday school experience.
Each classroom contains its own dedicated reading corner, which children may access throughout the school day, particularly during our daily timetabled ‘Reading for Pleasure’ time. Children have the opportunity to browse and choose from a wide range of different texts, make recommendations to their friends, and share their favourite books with others.
At Swan Lane First School, we believe that creating positive reading environments helps children see books as something to enjoy, explore and share. Through our reading scheme, library and reading spaces, we aim to nurture confident readers who develop a lifelong relationship with books.
Reading for Pleasure
At Swan Lane, we want children to become readers because they love books, not simply because they can read.
We celebrate reading throughout the school day through shared class stories, book recommendations, reading events and opportunities for children to talk about their favourite books and authors. ‘Reading for Pleasure’ time is protected and formally timetabled so that all children have the opportunity to enjoy their own choice of books every day.
Our reading choices reflect a wide range of experiences, cultures, characters and perspectives, helping children to develop their understanding of themselves and the world around them.
We encourage children to read widely, explore different genres and discover books that spark their imagination and curiosity.
How Families Can Help
Families play an important role in helping children develop confidence, enjoyment and independence as readers. The most valuable thing you can do is share books regularly, talk about what you read together and encourage a positive relationship with reading.
Reading at home does not always need to mean children reading independently. Listening to stories, discussing characters, exploring new vocabulary and sharing opinions about books all help children to become stronger readers.
To support reading at home:
- Read regularly with your child and encourage them to read their school reading book frequently.
- Talk about the book together by asking questions about what is happening, what your child notices and what they think might happen next.
- Encourage children to explain their ideas and share their opinions about characters, events and information.
- Discuss new vocabulary and explore the meaning of unfamiliar words.
- Celebrate reading for pleasure by sharing stories, poems, comics, magazines and non-fiction books.
- Visit libraries and bookshops to help children discover new authors and develop their interests.
To support families, children bring home a reading bookmark linked to their current reading level. These bookmarks provide helpful guidance and ideas for making the most of reading together at home. They include suggestions for questions to ask, ways to discuss books and prompts to help children develop their fluency, understanding and enjoyment of reading.
We encourage families to use these bookmarks as a starting point for conversations about books and to celebrate children’s progress as they become increasingly confident and enthusiastic readers.
At Swan Lane, we believe that when children, families and school work together, we can help every child develop a lifelong love of reading.
Writing at Swan Lane First School
At Swan Lane First School, we believe that writing is a powerful way for children to communicate their ideas, creativity and understanding. We aim to develop confident writers who can use language effectively, make thoughtful choices and write for a range of purposes and audiences.
Our approach to writing is closely connected to reading. Children explore carefully selected texts to discover how authors use vocabulary, sentence structures, organisation and language choices to create meaning and engage readers. These experiences provide children with the knowledge and inspiration they need to develop their own writing.
Writing is taught through a carefully structured process. Teachers model how writers think and make decisions, demonstrating how to plan ideas, choose vocabulary, construct sentences and improve their work. Children then have opportunities to discuss ideas, practise new skills and apply their learning independently.
Across the school, children develop important writing skills, including:
- constructing accurate and effective sentences
- choosing vocabulary carefully
- organising ideas clearly
- writing for different purposes and audiences
- editing and improving their work
We place great importance on developing strong foundations in spelling, handwriting and sentence construction so that children become increasingly fluent writers. In the early years and Key Stage 1, spelling is closely linked to phonics, while older children develop their understanding of spelling patterns, word structures and vocabulary choices.
Children are encouraged to become authors in their own right — making deliberate choices about how they want their writing to sound and the effect they want it to have on the reader. Through regular opportunities to write, reflect and improve, pupils develop the confidence and independence needed to communicate clearly and creatively.
Our aim is for every child to leave Swan Lane as a purposeful and enthusiastic writer who can use language with accuracy, imagination and confidence across the curriculum and beyond.
Developing Vocabulary and Language
At Swan Lane First School, we know that a strong vocabulary helps children to understand the world, communicate their ideas and succeed across the curriculum.
From the earliest years, children are immersed in rich language through stories, songs, rhymes, discussions and carefully chosen texts. Teachers explicitly introduce and explore new vocabulary, helping children understand what words mean, how they are used and how they can apply them in their own speaking and writing.
Across English lessons and the wider curriculum, children encounter ambitious vocabulary and are encouraged to use increasingly precise language when they speak and write. Through discussion, questioning and opportunities to explain their thinking, children develop confidence in expressing their ideas clearly. You can find out more about how we teach vocabulary in our Vocabulary Policy.
Speaking and Listening at Swan Lane
We believe that good quality talk is an essential part of learning. Children develop their understanding by discussing ideas, asking questions, explaining their thinking and listening carefully to others.
Throughout the school, children are given regular opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills through partner discussions, group activities, storytelling, presentations and classroom conversations.
Teachers model high-quality spoken language and support children to build confidence in using complete sentences, explaining their ideas and adapting their communication for different situations.
Developing strong communication skills – both orally and in writing - helps children to become confident learners who can share their ideas, collaborate with others and participate fully in school life and beyond.
You can find out more about all aspects of English teaching at Swan Lane First School by exploring our English and Handwriting Policies.