At St Mary's Primary School, English lies at the heart of everything we do. Through a carefully planned and progressive curriculum, we nurture children to become confident readers, skilled writers and effective communicators who embody our values of Confidently Me, Belonging Together and Challenged to Contribute. From their earliest experiences with books, language and mark-making through to becoming fluent readers and independent writers, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to express themselves clearly, think critically and engage with the world around them. By fostering a love of reading, a passion for writing and high expectations at every stage, we equip children with the literacy skills that will support their success throughout their education and beyond.

While reading and writing form the core of our English curriculum, we recognise that English is much broader than these individual strands. Across the school, children develop their skills in speaking and listening, vocabulary acquisition, drama, performance, presentation and communication. Through discussion, debate, storytelling, role play and collaborative learning, pupils learn how to express their ideas clearly, listen respectfully to others and adapt their language for different audiences and contexts. We believe that these wider aspects of English are essential in helping children become confident communicators who can articulate their thoughts, share their experiences and contribute positively to school life and the wider community. Together, reading, writing, speaking and listening provide the strong foundations that enable every child at St Mary's to flourish both academically and personally.