Reading, writing and communication at the heart of learning
At North Mead, English gives children the literacy they need to access the whole curriculum, communicate clearly and make their voice heard. Our curriculum combines systematic phonics, fluency, comprehension, rich vocabulary, high-quality texts, purposeful writing and strong spoken language.
Our approach
- Read Write Inc. Phonics — systematic early reading and matched practice.
- Fast Fluency — accuracy, automaticity, pace, phrasing and expression.
- VIPERS — a shared language for explicit reading comprehension in Key Stage 2.
- Accelerated Reader and NGRT — support independent reading and assessment.
- Pathways to Write — supports the sequencing and teaching of writing.
What children learn
| Phase | What children learn |
| EYFS | Communication and language, storytelling, vocabulary, phonological awareness, early phonics, mark making and early writing. |
| KS1 | Secure phonics, increasing reading fluency, comprehension, sentence construction, spelling, handwriting and purposeful writing. |
| Lower KS2 | Increasingly fluent reading, explicit comprehension, wider vocabulary, paragraphing, grammar, spelling and writing for varied purposes. |
| Upper KS2 | Interpret and compare more complex texts, justify with evidence, write with control of audience and purpose, edit independently and apply sophisticated grammar, vocabulary and cohesion. |
Developing a reading culture
Children experience class novels and stories, poetry, non-fiction, diverse authors, independent reading and regular opportunities to recommend and discuss books. We want pupils not only to read well, but to choose to read and use reading to understand the world.
Writing with purpose
Children learn that strong writing develops through explore → plan → model → write → evaluate → edit → improve. Teachers explicitly model the thinking behind successful writing while pupils develop increasing independence.
Speaking, listening and vocabulary
Children explain, discuss, reason, debate, present and perform. Vocabulary is taught deliberately across English and the wider curriculum, with particular attention to pupils with EAL.
How we know children are learning
Assessment includes RWI, fluency checks, VIPERS-based comprehension, NGRT, Accelerated Reader Star, teacher assessment, writing moderation and statutory assessments. Assessment informs teaching rather than becoming an end in itself.
Related North Mead Pages
- Our Curriculum
- Reading