The National Curriculum makes it clear that language lies at the heart of primary education—and we fully embrace that at Woodchurch CE Primary School. We believe that the teaching of English is not just essential; it is foundational to all learning.

At Woodchurch, we celebrate English as a vital tool for both thinking and learning. We are committed to developing our children’s ability to listen, speak, read, and write for a wide range of purposes, enabling them to communicate their ideas, views, and emotions effectively. In doing so, they are empowered to interpret the world around them and make sense of their own experiences.

We want our children to be confident in expressing themselves both creatively and imaginatively. We aim to foster a love of reading and writing, helping them to become enthusiastic and critical readers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and digital texts. Through exposure to a wide range of literature and genres, children begin to understand how language works—exploring its patterns, structures, and origins. This deep understanding places them at the very centre of their learning experience.

English is essential not only as a standalone subject but also across the entire curriculum. It supports thinking, enables communication, and is used as a tool for learning in all subject areas.

The Key Strands of English at Woodchurch:

• Spoken Language – developing confidence in verbal expression, discussion, and debate

• Reading – focusing on both decoding and comprehension skills

• Writing – covering composition, structure, and handwriting

• Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) – understanding the building blocks of effective writing

By embedding these strands across our teaching, we ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive as a communicator, a reader, and a writer—equipped with the language skills they need for lifelong learning.