English (Reading and Writing)
Our Mission Statement and Curriculum Drivers
English is central to the National Curriculum and underpins success across all subjects. At The Oratory, we nurture articulate, thoughtful communicators and passionate readers and writers. Through a rich variety of texts and purposeful writing opportunities, children learn to express their ideas clearly and creatively. In living our mission, children use language to uplift, encourage, and support others — shining their light through kind, respectful, and thoughtful communication.
Our Curriculum Intent
At The Oratory, our English curriculum follows the National Curriculum and aims to develop confident, articulate readers and writers. We strive to foster a love of reading through exposure to high-quality texts and ensure that children become fluent, accurate readers who can comprehend and interpret meaning.
In writing, we equip pupils with the skills to communicate effectively, creatively, and for a range of purposes. Our approach builds strong foundations in spelling, grammar, and vocabulary, while encouraging imagination and critical thinking. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, we promote Dignity of the Human Person and Solidarity by valuing every child’s voice and encouraging them to use language to express ideas that respect and uplift others.
Our Curriculum Implementation
At The Oratory, we implement our English curriculum through a structured and engaging approach. In Reading, we use Read Write Inc. (RWI) Phonics in EYFS and Year 1 to secure early decoding skills. From Year 2 to Year 6, pupils follow Comprehension Crusher (Grammarsaurus) to develop deeper understanding and comprehension strategies. Each class also has a high-quality class text that supports English lessons and promotes a love of reading.
In Writing, we follow a three-week writing cycle that includes opportunities for oracy, handwriting and spelling development, focused grammar teaching, and structured stages of planning, writing, and editing. This approach ensures children become confident, creative writers while mastering essential technical skills.