Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

1 Timothy 4:13

New International Version

At Northaw, the overarching aim for English is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. The study of English lends itself to the exploration of ethical issues, and students are expected to consider them sensitively. Community volunteers listening to early readers, reading champions maintaining the school library and collecting suggestions for new books, fostering links with the village library in Cuffley, and observing major literary events, including Shakespeare Week, the Summer Reading Challenge and World Book Day, nurture a strong reading culture. Children get the practice they need to acquire fluent transcription skills (spelling and handwriting), which is the foundation for their progress in writing. Teachers directly teach sentence construction, control of grammar and syntax, so that pupils can use them with accuracy, confidence and increasing flair. Teachers have high expectations of how pupils apply their writing skills across the curriculum. Every class has an English working wall. Ofsted’s research review series and subject report series, and non-statutory guidance, The reading framework (July 2023), have informed our practice in this area.

Adaptation for Inclusion

We want pupils with SEND to achieve exceptionally well in reading and writing, and have constructed a curriculum that is ambitious and designed to give all pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. The curriculum is successfully adapted to meet the needs of pupils with SEND, developing their knowledge, skills and abilities to apply what they know and can do with increasing fluency and independence.

Teachers can also refer to our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Guidance where classroom difficulties and strategies to support are listed by area of need.