Oracy is the bridge between knowing and not knowing. It is the beginning, middle, end and everything in between!
Intent of our English curriculum
We believe that a quality English curriculum should develop children’s love of reading, writing and oracy. We use materials provided by Herts for Learning and Voice 21 to support us with our planning which ensures our English curriculum provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion. Our curriculum, supported by the materials from Herts for Learning, align with the National Curriculum for English 2014.
We aim to provide children with a literacy-rich environment, high quality texts and inspiring learning opportunities such as WOW days, which will help them to:
● Read easily, fluently and with good understanding ● Develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information ● Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language ● Appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage ● Write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences ● Use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas ● Be competent in the art of oracy, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
Implementation of our English curriculum
Each class from Year 1 upwards visit our main school library each week where they are able to choose a non fiction book. These books have recently been updated to ensure that they reflect the world we live in. Children are supported to choose books linked to all areas of the curriculum through the organisation of the books into genres. Each classroom has its own reading area and children in all classes are able to choose reading books from within their classroom.
Children read books from our book banded reading scheme until they become a free reader. When they become a free reader, they are able to choose freely from the fiction library. Further information about how reading is taught is detailed below.
We use the Herts for Learning units which are sequenced so that children are taught the reading and writing skills linked to fiction, non-fiction and poetry, in line with the 2014 National Curriculum. We teach handwriting using Letterjoin materials which we have whole school access to. In addition, handwriting and spellings are part of weekly home learning non-negotiables. We teach Spellings using Twinkl spelling materials, with interventions for children who are not able to access the age related spellings. In Year 1 and 2, Twinkl spellings are taught alongside Monster Phonics to ensure consistency. These are tested on a regular basis but we maintain a focus on application in written work as well as performance in spelling tests.
Teachers use real life experiences or rich texts to inspire pupils. We promote reading widely and often as we know that those children who read a wide variety of high quality texts are much better placed to write in an engaging and exciting way. As with other areas of the curriculum, we have regular WOW days linked to our English teaching. These have included days linked to Superheros and Fairy Tales.
Children are given lots of opportunities to talk, ask and answer questions and present to an audience. This includes presentations as part of project work and also productions where children are able to perform to a live audience. The school are developing an Oracy curriculum as part of the school action plan for 2024-2025. We use the WellComm speech and language toolkit for both screening and intervention in speech and language skills as we know that an unaddressed delay in language skills can lead to underperformance throughout primary school and beyond.
We use tight Learning Intentions and Success Criteria to support children when we are writing so that they are able to self access against the learning objectives and ensure that they develop a sound command of the components of each genre of writing.
Through the use of the materials from Herts for Learning, there is a clear pathway of progression. We use phonic, reading and spelling trackers to monitor progress. We also moderate writing using age related expectations each term both within our school and through local authority and teaching school moderation events.
Impact of our English curriculum
Our well planned and sequenced English curriculum has resulted in a school community who value and promote reading and writing. Our pupil group of Reading Champions, promote reading across the school which is enhanced by a range of WOW days and immersive experiences. Children are given a wealth of opportunities to write for a purpose in all aspects of the curriculum as well as in their English lessons.
Children in our school achieve highly in the Phonics Screening check and in the KS1 and KS2 assessments.
87% of pupils achieved the expected standard in the Year 1 phonics screening check in Summer Term 2024.
At Key Stage One, 80% of pupils met the expected standard or above in Reading, with 27% working at greater depth. In Writing, 73% met the expected standard or above, with 23% working at greater depth.
At Key Stage Two, attainment at the expected standard in Reading was 89%. Attainment at the high standard in Reading was 39%.
Attainment at the expected standard in writing was 89% with 36% working at greater depth.
When children start in Nursery, we begin our phonics teaching using Phase 1 of Letters and Sounds. This is the building blocks of learning to read where children learn to hear and identify sounds around them, before moving on to hearing sounds within words. Our EYFS team support families to develop early reading skills.
As children move into Reception, we move into Phase 2 of Letters and Sounds. We teach phonics using Monster Phonics, which was new to our school in September 2021. We continue to move through the phases using Monster Phonics until the end of Year 2. For children who require further phonic support in Key Stage 2 and beyond we run phonic interventions. We track progress in phonics using a phonics tracker which enables us to ensure that children are acquiring the skills and ability to use phonics to read.
Every child from Reception to Year 2, and those children in Key Stage Two who require them, are given a phonetically decodable reading book alongside their book banded reading book. These reading books are aligned to the phonics that children know and can read using their phonics. Children are heard to read regularly in school and books are changed when they have been read and practised at home.
We involve parents and carers in the process of supporting children to learn to read. We ask parents to read with their child at least 5 times each week and we contact parents where home reading is an issue to provide support.
How we encourage a love of reading
We place a high priority on reading and enjoyment of reading, this has been one of our whole school focuses. Over the last few years we have taken part in several whole school projects linked to a love of reading.
From the start of their time at Trotts Hill, children are exposed to high quality texts read to them by teachers and teaching assistants. We have recently invested in new books to enhance library areas. We have a main fiction and a non fiction library and our non fiction books are aligned to all areas of the curriculum.
We believe it is vital that texts are relevant to children and their lives. We launched a library wishlist to our school community where we invited people to buy a new book for our school library. These books were selected using the Book Trust website and feature themes relevant to our school community and the world that our children are living in. We know it is important that children are provided with engaging, inspiring texts to foster a love of reading.
As a school we always celebrate World Book Day and as part of our celebrations, we invite parents and carers into school to read with their children or with small groups of children. We also encourage the whole school community to dress as a book character, and we are always amazed by the range of characters we see. This is a highlight of our school calendar and not just for the children!
English 2025-2026
Reading Champions 2025-2026
World Book Day
Today has been full of stories, imagination and a real love of reading. Our children have enjoyed a wonderful Book Tasting event with Ally from Usborne Books, where they had the chance to explore and sample lots of exciting titles.
At lunchtime we held a lovely Booknic, giving everyone the opportunity to relax and enjoy a good book together. It was also fantastic to welcome parents and carers into school to share stories and read with their families – thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day so special.
We have absolutely loved seeing all the children (and staff!) in their fantastic costumes. The creativity and enthusiasm have been amazing!
Thanks to your incredible support, we have already raised over £1000 to spend on brand new books from Usborne for our school – which is just fantastic for our library and classrooms.
If you would still like to order any books from Ally at Usborne, please use the link below or scan the QR code attached: Usborne
Thank you for helping us celebrate reading in such a wonderful way!
A big thank you to our Reading Champions who shared their reviews of all the £1 books released for this year’s World Book Day!
Tomorrow, the children will be receiving their World Book Day tokens , and we can’t wait to see all the fabulous book-inspired outfits around school.
It’s going to be a wonderful day full of stories and creativity – we’re so excited to celebrate with everyone!
Amazon Wishlist
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful parents and families who have generously donated through our Amazon Wishlist. Your kindness and support mean so much to us.
The children were absolutely overjoyed as the new resources arrived, and it’s all thanks to your generosity. These donations make a real difference in their day-to-day experiences, learning, and play.
Thank you for being such an incredible community — we appreciate every single one of you!
5 Best Books
Winter Reading Challenge Launch!
Today we were delighted to be joined by Brona from Stevenage Library, who officially launched this year’s Winter Reads challenge!
Winter Reads is a series of exciting reading challenges and events for all ages, running across Hertfordshire libraries until the end of January.
You can follow the challenges we’ve set or adapt them to suit your family – it’s completely flexible!
How it works:
Pick up your challenge materials from your local library.
• Adults receive a Winter Reads bookmark
• Children get a Winter Reads challenge card
Complete your reading challenges and record them on your bookmark or card.
Return to the library to collect a stamp or sticker for each challenge you finish.
Once you complete 6 challenges, you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad (plus lots of brilliant runners-up prizes!).
As well as being a fantastic way to discover new books, authors and genres, Winter Reads is a lovely opportunity to read together as a family or with friends.
We can’t wait to see what you’ll be reading this winter!
Today has been full of stories, imagination and a real love of reading. Our children have enjoyed a wonderful Book Tasting event with Ally from Usborne Books, where they had the chance to explore and sample lots of exciting titles.