English

At Westbourne, English lessons foster a love of language and literature, developing pupils' critical thinking, communication, and creative expression.

At Westbourne School, the English curriculum is delivered through a comprehensive and engaging programme designed to foster a lifelong love of language and literature. We utilise a variety of schemes of learning to ensure consistent coverage and progression of skills across the school.

Grammar is taught using the Schofield & Sims scheme, providing a structured approach to understanding and applying grammatical concepts. Handwriting is developed through the Schofield & Sims handwriting programme, focusing on producing legible and fluent handwriting. Reading comprehension skills are honed using Cracking Comprehension, equipping pupils with effective strategies to understand and interpret texts. Writing skills are nurtured through the Power of Reading scheme, which inspires a love of reading and improves pupils' writing through engaging and high-quality texts. Each half term, pupils explore a different text, allowing rich opportunities for discussion, analysis, and creative inspiration. In Reception, Year 1, and Year 2, phonics is taught using Twinkl Phonics.

Towards the end of each half term, pupils produce an extended piece of writing in their dedicated Westbourne Wordsmith books, showcasing their developing writing skills and creativity. These pieces are assessed using the Oxford Writing Criterion Scale, providing a clear framework to evaluate and track pupil progress. Through these schemes, engaging texts, regular writing opportunities, and consistent assessments, pupils develop essential skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, building their confidence and fluency in communication. These skills include critical thinking, analysis, creative expression, and effective communication across a variety of genres and contexts.