English Curriculum

Vocabulary size is a convenient proxy for a whole range of educational attainments and abilities- not just skill in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, but also general knowledge of science, history and the arts.                                                                                                             A wealth of words, by E.D Hirsch Jr

Please open the files below to see our approach to the teaching of reading, speaking and listening, and writing at Magna Carta.

We are constantly reviewing our English Curriculum and use high quality set texts to inspire and engage our pupils. These texts have been selected specifically for our curriculum.
Our full English curriculum overview can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.  

The criteria for choosing the set texts are; cultural capital, challenge, vocabulary, variation and conceptual richness. We also consider how these texts build upon knowledge and concepts year after year. We review our literacy canon regularly to ensure our pupils are exposed to a diverse range of authors, cultures and characters.

Here’s one example: Aesop’s Fables is read in year 1 - a culturally important, challenging text that teaches us that stories contain messages. This then leads to Winnie the Pooh in year 2 which moves us from moral to theme, and from fable to short story. This leads to Charlottes's Web in year 3 which develops the themes found in Winnie the Pooh - the transformative power of love and friendship and is culturally significant and challenging. This then leads to Philip Pullman’s Clockwork in year 4; again the book develops the theme of love's transformative power but also introduces a contemporary writer and a meta-story within a story (an idea that will come up again and again in fiction). Ultimately, this reading route can carry our pupils to the most complex texts ever written.

THE WRITE STUFF 

In KS1 and 2, extended writing is taught using the highly successful 'The Write Stuff' approach. This method allows pupils to improve their oracy and widen their vocabulary whilst deepening their understanding of writing choices.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

We develop pupils’ spoken language, reading, writing and vocabulary as integral aspects of the teaching of every subject. English is both a subject in its own right and the medium for teaching; for pupils, understanding the language provides access to the whole curriculum. Fluency in the English language is an essential foundation for success in all subjects.

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Magna Carta pupils are taught to speak clearly and convey ideas confidently. They learn to justify ideas with reasons; ask questions to check understanding; develop vocabulary and build knowledge; negotiate; evaluate and build on the ideas of others; and select the appropriate register for effective communication.

READING AND WRITING

Pupils are taught to read fluently, understand extended prose and are encouraged to read for pleasure. Classrooms are well stocked with fiction, non-fiction and poetry books; and we set ambitious expectations for reading at home. Pupils develop the stamina and skills to write at length, with accurate spelling and punctuation. They are taught the correct use of grammar. The writing they complete includes narratives, explanations, descriptions, comparisons, summaries and evaluations: such writing supports them in rehearsing, understanding and consolidating what they have heard or read.