English is at the heart of the primary curriculum, and teaching it effectively requires careful planning to guarantee continuity and progression. This ensures pupils not only meet the expected standards but also master and deepen their learning, becoming confident communicators, avid readers, and skilled writers.
Here’s a guide to planning an English curriculum that supports continuity and progression in your school.
1. Develop a Clear Vision for English
Start by defining what you want your pupils to achieve by the end of their primary years.
• Key Questions to Consider:
o What does a successful Year 6 pupil look like in terms of reading, writing, speaking, and listening?
o How do these skills build from EYFS to Year 6?
o How will you ensure a love of reading and writing across all year groups?
This vision will shape your curriculum and guide decisions on what to teach and how to teach it.
2. Use the National Curriculum as a Framework
The 2014 National Curriculum provides a clear structure for English, with key objectives for each year group. Use this as a foundation but adapt it to the needs of your pupils.
• Identify the core skills (e.g., spelling, grammar, comprehension, vocabulary) and ensure they are revisited and built upon across the years.
• Create a progression map that outlines how these skills develop from Reception to Year 6.
Example: If pupils learn about expanded noun phrases in Year 2, plan opportunities to use and expand on this skill in Years 3 and 4 through creative writing tasks and non-fiction reports.
3. Plan for Cross-Curricular Links
Integrate English with other subjects to make learning meaningful and coherent.
• Use topics from history, geography, or science as contexts for writing and reading.
• Incorporate texts that align with the wider curriculum, such as biographies of historical figures, poetry inspired by nature, or non-fiction texts on space.
Example: When teaching about the Great Fire of London in history, pupils can read extracts from Samuel Pepys’ diary, write their own recounts, and create newspaper reports.
4. Focus on High-Quality Texts
Quality literature is the backbone of a strong English curriculum. Choose texts that:
• Provide rich vocabulary and varied sentence structures.
• Represent a range of cultures, genres, and perspectives.
• Engage and challenge pupils across all ability levels.
Practical Tip: Develop a school-wide core text list, ensuring progression in complexity and themes from Reception to Year 6. For example:
• EYFS: Picture books like The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson.
• KS1: Early chapter books like The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson.
• KS2: Novels like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis or Holes by Louis Sachar.
5. Ensure Consistency in Teaching Approaches
A consistent approach to teaching English helps pupils transition smoothly between year groups.
• Adopt whole-school strategies for teaching key skills, such as phonics, grammar, and spelling.
• Use similar structures for lessons (e.g., reading strategies, shared writing) while allowing flexibility for teacher creativity.
Example: A consistent method for teaching spelling might involve:
• Weekly word lists based on spelling rules.
• Daily practice in various forms (e.g., games, dictation, handwriting).
• Application of spelling words in writing tasks.
6. Scaffold Learning to Build Mastery
Scaffolding helps pupils progress from supported to independent learning.
• Break down complex skills into manageable steps.
• Provide sentence starters, writing frames, or model texts to guide learning.
• Gradually remove support as pupils gain confidence.
Example: When teaching persuasive writing, start with analysing persuasive texts as a class, then co-construct an example before asking pupils to write independently.
7. Prioritise Assessment for Learning
Ongoing assessment is key to ensuring pupils are mastering skills and making progress.
• Use formative assessments like questioning, discussions, and short tasks to gauge understanding during lessons.
• Implement regular summative assessments (e.g., reading comprehension tests, writing tasks) to track long-term progress.
Tip: Record key assessment outcomes on a simple tracking sheet to identify gaps and plan targeted interventions.
8. Plan for Differentiation and Challenge
Recognise that pupils progress at different rates and plan accordingly:
• Provide additional support for those struggling with basic skills through small-group interventions or 1:1 sessions.
• Challenge more able pupils with tasks that deepen understanding, such as analysing author intent or experimenting with complex sentence structures.
Example: In a poetry lesson, some pupils might focus on identifying rhyming words, while others experiment with creating their own similes and metaphors.
9. Encourage Pupil Ownership of Learning
Pupils are more engaged when they feel ownership of their learning.
• Provide opportunities for choice, such as selecting books for independent reading or choosing the topic for a writing task.
• Encourage pupils to set their own goals, such as improving sentence variety or using more ambitious vocabulary.
Example: Introduce a class writing competition where pupils write on a theme of their choice, showcasing the skills they’ve learned.
10. Embed Reflection and Feedback
Reflection helps pupils understand their progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Use Dedicated Improvement and Reflection Time (DIRT) to allow pupils to act on feedback.
• Encourage peer and self-assessment using success criteria or marking codes.
Example: After a writing task, ask pupils to highlight one sentence they’re proud of and one they’d like to improve, then revise the latter using a checklist.
11. Foster a Love of Reading and Writing
Continuity and progression are only meaningful if pupils are engaged and motivated.
• Celebrate reading and writing through book clubs, author visits, or themed days like World Book Day.
• Display pupil work and share it with parents to build pride and enthusiasm.
Example: Create a “Published Authors” wall where pupils’ best writing pieces are displayed for everyone to admire.
Conclusion
Planning for continuity and progression in English requires a clear vision, strategic planning, and consistent practices across your school. By focusing on high-quality texts, scaffolding learning, and fostering a love of reading and writing, you can ensure your pupils not only meet expectations but also develop a lifelong appreciation for the power of language.
With the right approach, you’ll help every pupil in your school to thrive, mastering the skills they need and enjoying the journey along the way.
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