Literacy

English at St Mary’s: Helping Every Child Find Their Voice
At St Mary’s, we believe that language is powerful—it helps children connect, express themselves, understand the world around them, and unlock future opportunities. That’s why English is at the heart of everything we do.

Our aim is simple but important: no child should be held back by limited vocabulary or language confidence. Through a rich, exciting English curriculum, we help every pupil grow into a fluent reader, a creative writer, and a confident communicator.

We want your child to love books, enjoy writing, and be proud of their progress. Whether they’re reading a story, sharing their ideas, or writing across different subjects, we’re here to help them find their voice—and use it well.

Reading at St Mary’s
We are passionate about helping children become lifelong readers. Here's how we support them every day:

Daily whole-class reading sessions: Teachers read aloud and model fluent, expressive reading. Children then read with a partner or independently and explore the text through discussion and questions.
One-to-one reading (Reception–Y2): Every child reads with an adult every day, ensuring close support and regular progress.
Carefully chosen, high-quality books: We use the a scheme so that children experience a wide range of inspiring, age-appropriate literature.
Phonics-based reading: In early years and Key Stage 1, children read books that exactly match their phonics level, helping them read confidently and independently.
Paired reading in phonics lessons: Daily 20-minute sessions help develop fluency and build a love of reading from the earliest stages.
“At St Mary’s, reading is not just a subject—it’s a joy to be shared and a skill for life.”

Learn more about reading at St Mary’s

Writing at St Mary’s
We want all children to see themselves as writers with something to say. Through engaging, purposeful writing lessons, children learn how to write clearly, creatively, and with confidence.

Every day, pupils:

Use talk and discussion to develop and share ideas.
Learn to apply grammar and punctuation correctly and with understanding.
Expand their vocabulary to express ideas more precisely and creatively.
Practice spelling and phonics skills to build accuracy and independence.
Write in a variety of forms—from stories and letters to reports and persuasive texts.
Present their work with care using joined, fluent handwriting.
Writing is fully embedded across the curriculum, so children are constantly using their skills in meaningful, real-life contexts.

We use the Pathways to Write programme to ensure high-quality teaching and progression in writing skills.

Learn more about Pathways to Write
View our handwriting scheme
Read the National Curriculum

Find out about Common Exception Words

Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar (SPaG)
Good writing starts with a strong foundation. That’s why children at St Mary’s have daily SPaG lessons using the trusted Read Write Inc. scheme. These lessons focus on:

Learning and practising key grammar and punctuation rules
Building confidence with spelling patterns
Applying new knowledge directly into their own writing
As pupils grow more confident, they’re encouraged to use their SPaG skills independently, helping to lift the quality of all their written work.

A Curriculum Designed with Purpose
Everything we do in English is planned with intent, impact, and your child’s future in mind. We track progress carefully, celebrate success, and provide support where needed—so that every child can thrive.

Read our English Policy
View our full English Curriculum Overview
Explore our Key English Concepts

Oracy: Finding and Using Their Voice
At St Mary’s, we know that being able to speak clearly, confidently, and thoughtfully is just as important as reading and writing. That’s why oracy—spoken language skills—is a key part of our English curriculum and is woven throughout every subject.

We help children to:

Express themselves confidently in discussions, presentations, and performances
Listen carefully and respectfully to others
Build their vocabulary and use subject-specific language accurately
Organise their thoughts and explain their ideas clearly
Develop the confidence to speak in front of others, from small groups to whole-school audiences
Through talk-based activities, debates, storytelling, role-play, and class discussions, pupils learn that their voice matters—and how to use it effectively.

“Good talk supports good thinking—and confident, articulate children are ready to succeed in school and in life.”

Find out more about our Oracy curriculum

Find out more about our Listening curriculum

In Summary
At St Mary’s, we don’t just teach reading and writing—we nurture a love of language that will last a lifetime. We help children:

Build strong vocabulary and communication skills
Become confident, expressive speakers and writers
Discover the excitement of reading and storytelling
Gain the tools they need for learning in every subject—and for life