English & Phonics

English

English Curriculum Map

Progression of Skills (Grammar)

Progression of Skills (Spelling)

Progression of Skills (Reading)

Intent 

English is the back bone of school learning. We aim to inspire a love of reading, writing, discussion and debate, giving every child the literacy skills they need to succeed in learning and in life. By the end of their time here, our pupils will:

• Read fluently and widely for both pleasure and information

• Understand grammar and linguistic conventions

• Appreciate a rich and varied literary heritage

• Write with clarity, accuracy and purpose for different audiences

• Speak and listen with confidence, expressing ideas clearly and respectfully

Our English curriculum not only supports academic achievement, but nurtures thoughtful, creative citizens who understand how language can shape the world.

Implementation

We follow a rigorous, engaging English curriculum built around high-quality literature and non-fiction. Learning is topic-led, offering meaningful opportunities for authentic writing across subjects.

Our writing process - based on imitation, innovation, invention - encourages children to think critically about writers’ craft, audience and purpose. Speaking and listening are central, with pupils learning to articulate ideas with awareness and accuracy, respond to others and present with confidence.

As a Thinking School, we use Thinking Maps to help pupils plan and structure ideas, empowering them to write with independence. We encourage them to:

• Read like writers

• Write like readers

• Speak like orators

Extra-curricular clubs in creative writing, performance poetry and debating further enrich learning.

Impact 

By the end of Year 6, pupils will have gained strong literacy skills, and the confidence to use them across all subjects. They can analyse texts, adapt tone and style for purpose, and recognise bias.

Our pupils’ achievements are visible in their mastery of language, public speaking, performances, competitions and the joy they show in reading and writing. Whole-school events, such as World Book Day, Extreme Reading challenges, Masked Reader activities and poetry recitals, bring our community together to celebrate English.

When children leave RHS, they take with them creativity, high aspirations and a lasting passion for English that will grow throughout their lives.

Phonics & Reading

As the basis for Reading and English, the teaching of phonics is of high priority at our school. We use the Read Write Inc – Ruth Miskin phonic programme to teach phonics.

Phonics is taught daily in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and four times per week in Year 1 and Year 2. Children are put into groups according to their stage in phonetic development. These groups are flexible and children move across groups as needed.

Pupils are assessed at the end of each half term and additional phonics sessions are provided for any children who need further support and for those who did not pass the Year 1 phonics check.

Phonics Homework Set 1Phonics Homework Set 2Phonics Homework Set 3

Reading Progression of Skills

Intent

We are passionate about ensuring all children become confident and enthusiastic readers and writers. We believe Read, Write, Inc (RWI) provides the foundations of learning to make the development into fluent reading and writing easier.

Children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. Through RWI phonics, children learn a simple alphabetic code followed by a more complex code. All reading books progress cumulatively, matched to the sounds children are learning and already know.

Implementation

Phonics is a key focus in EYFS and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2). All children who need further support have daily phonics lessons following the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme. Pupils who have not met the Year 1 Phonics Screening standard continue targeted teaching into Year 3 if necessary.

In EYFS, phonics is taught both in structured lessons and through continuous provision, where children practise skills daily in engaging, topic-linked activities. We promote independence and ensure learning is transferred into reading and writing across the curriculum.

Through RWI, children learn to:

• Decode letter–sound correspondences quickly and accurately

• Read tricky “red words” on sight

• Understand what they read

• Read aloud with fluency and expression

• Write with a focus on vocabulary, grammar and accuracy

• Spell by segmenting sounds

• Develop clear handwriting

Children work with partners to explain and consolidate learning, giving teachers opportunities to assess and address any gaps in articulation, blending or letter–sound knowledge.

Books are carefully matched to each child’s phonics stage so they can experience early success and grow in confidence. Teachers also read aloud daily from a rich mix of stories, poetry and non-fiction to nurture a love of reading.

For children needing extra help, we provide 1:1 or small-group tutoring to ensure every pupil makes progress.

Impact

Our aim is for all children to be confident readers by the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2), ready to focus on comprehension and develop a lifelong love of reading.

We measure progress through:

• Year 1 Phonics Screening checks

• End of Key Stage reading assessments

• Ongoing RWI assessments

Beyond assessments, the impact is seen in pupils’ enthusiasm for reading. They explore a wide range of genres, discover favourite authors, and learn to talk about books thoughtfully. At RHS, we believe reading is the key to unlocking all learning, and our phonics programme opens that door for every child.