Our English specialists are Mrs Hazeldine (LLB Law) and Miss O'Gorman (BA English Literature) (MA English Literature)

Read more about the English curriculum here: 

English Curriculum Intent: To develop vocabulary, reading and writing skills through carefully chosen high-quality texts following the mastery approach, to promote and inspire a love of reading throughout St Matthew's and to equip all pupils with the sufficient skills to develop into fluent readers and creative writers. 

The English Curriculum: Our Vision

“Make it a rule never to give a child a book you would not read yourself.”

George Bernard Shaw

At St Matthew's, we believe that a quality Literacy (English) curriculum should develop children’s love of reading, writing and discussion. We aim to inspire an appreciation of quality literature and a habit of reading widely and often. We have a rigorous and well organised English curriculum that provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion. We follow ‘Pathways to Write’ and ‘Pathways to Read’ as a way to develop vocabulary, reading and writing skills through the mastery approach. Our planning is based upon high quality texts to ensure engaging and purposeful lessons by linking learning to the wider curriculum. We pride ourselves on being a reading school – reading underpins everything we teach.

Our curriculum closely follows the aims of the National Curriculum for English 2014 to enable all children to:

● read easily, fluently and with good understanding
● develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
● acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
● appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
● write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
● use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
● are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.

These aims are embedded across our literacy lessons and the wider curriculum. We provide the means for children to develop a secure knowledge-base in Literacy, which follows a clear pathway of progression as they advance through the primary curriculum. Rigorous assessment and review will ensure that we are able to provide targeted support so that all children experience success in literacy; we believe that a secure basis in literacy skills is crucial to a high quality education and will give our children the tools they need to participate fully as a member of society.