English Subject Coordinators are Mrs S. Pharboo, Mrs A. Sabat and Mrs S. Khan

Phonics Coordinator is Miss C. Jenkins

English lessons provide a wonderful opportunity for creativity, passion and achievement.

They are taught daily as a discrete lesson and with cross curricular links.  We teach the National Curriculum in an exciting and innovative way through dramatic performances, the use of quality texts and ICT.  A passion for the English language is promoted in all classes through the promotion of ‘talk for writing.’

All children in the EYFS and KS1 (reception to year 2) are taught phonics, through the use of the ‘Read, Write Inc’ programme, basic spelling rules and key reading skills. Children in Year 1 are required to sit a phonics test in June and those who do not meet the expected DfE standards will sit them the following year. 

Pupils at St Mary's are exposed to a wide variety of topics, genres and authors to help instill a passion and enthusiasm for reading. Children gain a deeper appreciation of different texts and learn to translate this into their own writing. Our main reading scheme in use is Oxford Reading Tree and we incorporate a range of other reading materials which provides a variety of texts to challenge the children.  

We incorporate the latest technology into teaching English, making lessons interactive and enabling pupil collaboration in class. Reading, writing and speaking and listening are all promoted through various activities such as book fairs, world book day, character days, writing competitions, drama groups and external workshops.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! 

Links to websites that will support and deepen children's learning of English: