At Church Crookham Junior School, we believe that English lies at the heart of the curriculum and is fundamental to children’s success in education and beyond. Through a rich, ambitious and engaging curriculum, we strive to develop confident readers, writers, speakers and listeners who can communicate effectively in a wide range of contexts. Our English curriculum is rooted in the National Curriculum and informed by current educational research, ensuring that pupils develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to achieve their full potential.

We recognise that reading, writing and spoken language are interdependent and that success in one area supports success in another. Through exposure to high-quality texts, purposeful discussion and rich vocabulary, pupils build the language and knowledge they need to become effective communicators. We foster a culture in which reading is valued, celebrated and enjoyed, helping pupils develop a lifelong love of literature whilst broadening their understanding of the world around them. 

We intend for all pupils to develop the fluency, confidence and resilience needed to become successful writers. Through explicit teaching of vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, spelling and sentence construction, pupils learn how language works and how they can use it effectively to communicate meaning. We provide opportunities for pupils to write for a range of purposes and audiences across the curriculum, enabling them to adapt their style, language and structure appropriately.

At Church Crookham Junior School, we aim for all children to:

• Read fluently, confidently and with secure understanding.
• Develop a love of reading through engagement with a wide range of high-quality texts, authors and genres.
• Speak clearly and confidently, articulating ideas and opinions using appropriate vocabulary.
• Listen attentively and respond thoughtfully, building upon the ideas and contributions of others.
• Acquire a broad and ambitious vocabulary that enriches both spoken and written language.
• Write clearly, accurately and effectively for a range of audiences and purposes.
• Apply grammar, punctuation and spelling with increasing accuracy and independence.
• Develop fluent sentence construction and understand how language choices affect meaning.
• Reflect upon, revise and improve their writing to communicate effectively.
• Leave Year 6 fully prepared for the literacy demands of secondary education and future life. 

Our inclusive approach ensures that all pupils, regardless of starting point, are supported and challenged to achieve success. Through high-quality teaching, meaningful learning experiences and a strong culture of reading and writing, we nurture enthusiastic readers and confident writers who are equipped to thrive academically and personally.

Implementation

At Church Crookham Junior School, English is taught daily through carefully planned lessons that provide pupils with regular opportunities to read, discuss, write and reflect. Our curriculum is designed to build knowledge and skills progressively across Key Stage 2, enabling pupils to become increasingly fluent, independent and successful communicators. 

High-quality texts form the foundation of our English curriculum and act as models for language, vocabulary and authorial craft. Reading and writing are closely linked, enabling pupils to draw upon literature and wider curriculum knowledge to inform and enhance their own writing. Where appropriate, English units are connected to wider curriculum themes, providing meaningful contexts and authentic purposes for learning.

Key features of English teaching at CCJS include:

• Daily English lessons that provide a balance of reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary and spoken language.
• Explicit teaching of reading comprehension skills through whole-class reading sessions and high-quality discussion.
• Promotion of reading for pleasure through carefully chosen class texts, regular story time and opportunities to recommend and discuss books.
• Systematic teaching of vocabulary, with a focus on understanding, exploring and applying ambitious language.
• Explicit teaching of grammar, punctuation and spelling within the context of reading and writing so that pupils understand how language creates meaning.
• Regular opportunities for oral rehearsal, discussion, debate and presentation to strengthen pupils' language development and support writing.
• A strong focus on sentence construction and composition, helping pupils understand how to communicate ideas clearly and effectively.
• Use of modelling and shared writing to demonstrate the thinking processes involved in planning, drafting, revising and editing.
• Opportunities for pupils to write regularly for a variety of purposes and audiences across the curriculum.
• High expectations for presentation, handwriting and pride in learning.
• Appropriate scaffolding, adaptations and targeted support to ensure all pupils can access the curriculum and achieve success.
• Ongoing assessment that informs teaching and enables staff to respond effectively to pupils' needs. 

Teachers foster a positive and supportive classroom environment in which pupils feel confident to take risks, reflect on their learning and view themselves as successful readers and writers. Feedback is used purposefully to help pupils improve their work and develop greater independence as learners.

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Impact

The impact of our English curriculum is demonstrated through pupils who are confident, enthusiastic and capable communicators. They develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to succeed not only within English lessons but across the wider curriculum and beyond school.

As a result of our English provision, pupils will:

• Read fluently and with understanding across a range of genres and subjects.
• Demonstrate enjoyment of reading and make informed choices about what they read.
• Use ambitious and precise vocabulary in their spoken and written communication.
• Write effectively for a range of purposes and audiences, selecting appropriate language and structures.
• Apply spelling, grammar and punctuation accurately and with increasing automaticity.
• Construct well-organised sentences and paragraphs that communicate meaning clearly.
• Demonstrate resilience and independence throughout the writing process.
• Reflect critically on their work, revising and editing to improve quality and effectiveness.
• Participate confidently in discussions, explaining and justifying their ideas clearly.
• Be well prepared for the literacy challenges of secondary education and future learning. 

The success of our curriculum is reflected in pupils' outcomes, the quality of their work, their engagement in lessons, their love of reading and writing and their ability to communicate confidently and effectively in a wide variety of situations.

This page was last checked on 21/07/2026.