The English Team - Reading, Phonics & Writing
We have created a dedicated English Team to bring together the leadership of English Reading, English Writing and Phonics. This joined-up approach allows us to take a more coherent and strategic view of how language is developed across the curriculum and throughout the school.
By combining these key areas, we can ensure consistent progression in both spoken and written communication, while identifying and addressing gaps more effectively. The team works collaboratively to plan enriching experiences, share best practice, and ensure that the teaching of Reading, Writing and Phonics is high-quality, inclusive, and ambitious for all learners.
Meet the team!
Mrs Morris Mrs Williams Mrs Lloyd
Our English Team is made up of 3 teachers and 3 English Champions. The team meet at least once per half term to monitor how well their subjects are being taught but also to come up with new ideas, projects and special events to keep the subject exciting in school.
Reading & Phonics
At St. Elphin’s reading is at the heart of the curriculum. Our intent is to teach children to become confident and competent readers by learning how to read and by developing comprehension skills which they can apply across the curriculum, as well as developing a life-long love of reading for pleasure. Parents are actively encouraged to be involved in their child’s reading journey throughout their time at school.
Alongside this, in EYFS, the children begin a programme of systematic, synthetic phonics. The children experience a very interactive, multi-sensory approach to the teaching of synthetic phonics following the ‘Floppy’s Phonics’ programme. This programme incorporates a methodical approach of revisit and review, teach, practise and apply. The children work through the phases progressively and at a pace which fully embeds their learning. We use Floppy’s Phonics Decodable books in EYFS and KS1 with targeted phonics group in KS2 to ebbed and secure phonics skills and knowledge.
Reading Comprehension:
To ensure that our children are given a broad and balanced English curriculum and develop a love of reading, we have a structured approach to the teaching and implementation of reading. Reading is sequenced across school, so the children can develop the reading skills they need to become competent and enthusiastic readers. Reading comprehension is taught using our Complete Comprehension scheme. Each week, children will complete five lessons centered around a focus text. These lessons will include:
Lesson 1: Vocabulary and language
Lesson 2: Grammar and punctuation
Lesson 3: Modeling and practicing a key comprehension area
Lesson 4: Mixed comprehension
Lesson 5: Writing task linked to key text
By employing this consistent approach, all pupils will be exposed to a range of genres and texts, while also developing the knowledge needed to fully understand what they are reading.
You can read more about the schmes we use by clicking these links: https://www.schofieldandsims.co.uk/completecomprehension https://floppysphonics.com/
Writing
At our school, we use the Pathways to Write scheme to deliver a high-quality writing curriculum that ensures clear progress across year groups. Writing is taught through rich, engaging texts that inspire pupils and provide meaningful contexts for learning. Each unit is rooted in high-quality reading, which strengthens vocabulary, comprehension, and understanding of authorial techniques.
Pupils are given a clear purpose for their writing and are exposed to a range of different genres across the year. Lessons are carefully structured to develop writing stamina and accuracy, with a strong focus on grammar, sentence construction, and composition.
Our newly developed curriculum offers increased cross-curricular links which provide exciting opportunities for pupils to apply their writing skills in other subjects, making learning deeper and more relevant. Enrichment opportunities such as author visits, performances, and publishing work further enhance engagement and motivation. Our intent is to develop confident, creative writers who can express themselves with clarity, strength, and purpose.
Writing is taught daily. We have 5 hour long Pathways sessions but in addition to this we have a weekly writing opportunity built into our Reading Comprehension offer. Each Friday, children are given a writing task which encourages them to use the language and content they have learnt during the week. We find this a valuable opportunity to use and apply new language and knowledge.
Teachers will also use additional times in the week to further develop writing skills through other subjects. You will often see extended pieces linking to History, Geography and Science. These sessions are never in place of the subject’s ‘skills and knowledge’ lessons, they are in addition to these and have been developed to allow the teachers and children the freedom to dive deeper into some really interesting themes.
New for 2025-2026, we are introducing Pathways to Spell to our English offer. Using Pathways to Spell alongside Pathways to Write ensures a consistent, structured approach to developing spelling within the wider context of writing. The two schemes are closely aligned, allowing pupils to apply spelling rules and patterns in meaningful writing tasks. This link strengthens understanding, supports progression, and builds confidence as pupils see spelling as purposeful and connected.
You can read about both schemes by clicking this link: https://www.theliteracycompany.co.uk/pathways-literacy/pathways-to-write/
Together in faith, we learn, we care, we serve, we share
Serve one another with love (Galatians 5:13)