In English, we aim to develop your child’s skills in speaking, reading and writing through a broad and balanced cross curriculum. We encourage our pupils to become independent and creative learners by developing their confidence, fluency and understanding in literacy and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.
English is one of the core subjects in the National Curriculum and we believe that it is a crucial key to improving learning and raising standards. We endeavour to provide a creative curriculum giving pupils opportunities across all subjects to use, practice and apply what they have learnt in English, therefore giving purpose and depth to their writing through ‘real life’ experiences. Combs values all pupils’ efforts to read, write and talk. We all work together to encourage and raise the self-esteem of pupils through the promotion of literacy.

We aim for each child to:

• Have a positive attitude towards Literacy and self confidence in their ability
• Be able to communicate with peers and adults their ideas, experiences, questions clearly and fluently

· Develop understanding and skills to become independent, creative, enthusiastic readers and writers working co-operatively and with perseverance

• Be effective, competent communicators and good listeners

· Understand the sound and spelling system and use this to read and spell accurately

· Understand and be able to write in a range of genres in fiction, poetry, and non-fiction

· Develop a fluent, legible handwriting style and take care with presentation of their work 

· Through reading and writing, develop their powers of imagination, inventiveness and critical awareness

· Understand that literacy is a cross curricular subject and that it has uses beyond the classroom

• Have equality of opportunity regardless of race, gender or ability

• Experience a sense of achievement regardless of age or ability
• Feel supported and encouraged to succeed in their Literacy journey

The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:
- 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