English at St Paul's

In 2026, we gained our Literacy Tree Flagship School status. Flagship Schools are chosen for their innovative use of the book-based approach across the curriculum. We adopt and adapt Litearcy Tree planning to complement our school setting and build upon our amazing literacy culture!

Intent

Our vision is for excellence in literacy through an ambitious English Curriculum that places books at its core. The driver of our English Curriculum is high-quality texts which foster a love of reading and writing, inspiring children and igniting creativity. By placing books at the core, teachers use the text as the context for the requirements of the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum (2014) states that:

‘‘This guidance is not intended to constrain or restrict teachers’ creativity, simply to provide the structure on which they can construct exciting lessons.”

This would suggest that a context for learning is vital – and this is where our chosen approach supports teachers with ensuring that objectives for reading and writing, including those for grammar, have purpose.

Writing opportunities are meaningful; whether short or long, and the audience is clear. Children have real reasons to write, whether to explain, persuade, inform or instruct and, where possible, this can be embedded within text or linked to a curriculum area. Writing in role using a range of genres is key to our approach, as is writing a critique of the text and making comparisons – all writing skills that support children in preparation for their time in secondary school. This sits comfortably alongside the following statement from the English National Curriculum:

“The National Curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences.”

Teaching and learning cannot be a ‘one size fits all’ approach and so our text led English Curriculum has been shaped to enable all children, regardless of background ability or additional needs, to flourish through adaptation and flexibility within robust pedagogy.

Our Curriculum is language rich and creative, enabling children to become primary literate as well as to develop a love of reading and writing, with the ability to question others and develop an informed personal point of view. Literacy Tree is a text-rich, spiral curriculum that builds in a layered approach.

The Teaching of Phonics

At the early stages of reading, the children are taught to decode texts by following a synthetics phonics programme - Little Wandle. At St. Paul’s, reading is taught alongside Little Wandle initially. This promotes a strong and systematic emphasis on the teaching of synthetic phonics to aid the teaching and learning of reading. Pupils also take home reading books to support home learning and promote the important partnership between school and home. It is important that children learn 'pure sounds' when starting on their phonic journeys (see link below for information).

Teaching Reading 

At St. Paul’s children are explicitly taught the skills of reading (outlined in the National Curriculum and the KS1 and KS2 test domains) through the use of VIPERS, which were created by Rob Smith (The Literacy Shed) The Reading Vipers can be used both in KS1 and KS2 with a little adaptation.

V ocabulary 

I nfer 

P redict

E xplain

R etrieve

S ummarise/ sequence 

Reading Pathways

At St Paul's, we are committed to immersing our pupils in a diverse range of literature that aligns with the 2014 National Curriculum in England. Our carefully selected texts are designed to not only support the development of children's reading skills but also foster a love for reading that will stay with them for life.

Our reading pathways are specifically designed to complement the English and writing curriculum. They include a curated selection of recommended reads that have been chosen to engage and inspire young minds. By exploring these texts, your child will be exposed to a variety of genres, writing styles, and themes, helping them to become well-rounded readers.

We encourage you to support your child's reading journey by engaging with the texts they are studying at school and by exploring the recommended reads together. Reading with your child not only enhances their literacy skills but also provides an opportunity for meaningful discussions and bonding experiences.