English
At Bamford Academy, we are Writers!
From the moment children join us at Bamford Academy, we help them discover the power of words and the joy of expressing their ideas. Writing is an important part of how children learn, communicate and make sense of the world. We want every child to develop the confidence, creativity and skills to become a successful writer.
Our children are at the heart of everything we do. Through high-quality teaching, inspiring books and meaningful opportunities to write, we nurture each child’s unique skills and talents, helping them become happy, ambitious and curious lifelong learners.
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to find their own writer’s voice. Whether they are telling a story, explaining an idea, sharing an opinion or writing for a real audience, we want children to take pride in their work and understand the difference their words can make.
Writing also reflects our five core values of Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, Kindness and Acceptance. Through sharing ideas, listening to others and learning to improve their work, children develop the confidence and resilience to become writers who are proud of what they achieve. You can read more on our Our Values page and in our Headteacher’s Welcome.
We hope this page helps you understand what your child will experience in English and how you can support their writing journey at home.
English – At a glance
- We follow Ready Steady Write by Literacy Counts, a writing programme built around high-quality, vocabulary-rich literature.
- Every unit provides children with engaging texts and meaningful opportunities to write for different purposes and audiences.
- Children develop their vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation as they progress through the primary curriculum.
- Speaking and listening are an important part of writing. Children discuss ideas, explore new vocabulary and learn from one another before putting their thoughts on paper.
- Teachers model writing and demonstrate how to plan, compose, edit and improve a piece of work.
- Children learn to recognise the features of different types of writing and understand how to adapt their language and style for different readers.
- Regular opportunities to review, edit and redraft help children develop independence and take pride in their work.
We want every child, whatever their needs or starting point, to become a confident writer who enjoys expressing themselves.
Intent: Why we teach English at Bamford Academy
At Bamford Academy, we want all children to develop a genuine love of writing and the confidence to express themselves through words. Our ambition is for every child to become an independent, fluent and successful writer who can communicate effectively and make a positive contribution to their community and wider society.
We believe that strong literacy skills are fundamental to a high-quality education. They give children the tools to communicate their thoughts, share their experiences, explore their creativity and access learning across the curriculum. We want our children to leave primary school with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed in the next stage of their education and throughout their lives.
Our writing curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all children, regardless of their abilities, needs or background. We aim to meet, and where possible exceed, the expectations of the Early Learning Goals and National Curriculum, ensuring that children build their skills and make appropriate progress as they move through school.
Spoken language plays a vital role in this development. By listening, talking, asking questions and exploring new vocabulary, children build the foundations they need to express themselves clearly in writing.
High-quality literature sits at the heart of our approach. Through Ready Steady Write, we introduce children to engaging books, rich vocabulary and exciting ideas that inspire them to write. We want children to develop an appreciation of literature, take creative risks, discover their own writer’s voice and enjoy the process of bringing their ideas to life.
Ultimately, we want every child to recognise themselves as a writer and understand that their words have value.
How does English help children learn about British values?
English provides many opportunities for children to explore the values that matter in modern Britain. Through stories, poetry, discussion and drama, children learn mutual respect and tolerance by exploring different cultures, beliefs, experiences and viewpoints. They develop democracy by sharing ideas, listening to others and discussing different interpretations of a text. Individual liberty is encouraged as children develop their own opinions, express themselves creatively and make choices as readers and writers. The rule of law can be explored through stories that consider fairness, rules, rights and responsibilities.
We want every child, whatever their individual needs or background, to develop a love of reading, writing and communication. Through a wide range of books, authors and experiences, children can broaden their understanding of the world, see themselves and others represented, and discover new interests and aspirations. We want every child to recognise that their voice matters and that strong communication skills can open doors to future opportunities.
Implementation: How we teach English at Bamford Academy
Our writing curriculum is built around a carefully sequenced range of high-quality, age-appropriate texts, using Literacy Counts’ Ready Steady Write units of learning. Each unit provides a clear journey from exploring a text and developing knowledge to planning, writing and improving a final piece.
Children are given opportunities to:
- Explore high-quality texts: Read and discuss engaging stories and other texts, developing their understanding of language, vocabulary and different writing styles.
- Build vocabulary: Discover new words, explore their meanings and learn how to use them effectively in their own writing.
- Develop grammar, spelling and punctuation: Learn how sentences are constructed and how language choices help communicate meaning clearly.
- Understand purpose and audience: Explore the features of different genres and consider who they are writing for and why.
- Plan and write: Develop their ideas and produce an initial piece of writing with a clear purpose and context.
- Edit and improve: Review their own work, respond to feedback and redraft their writing to make it clearer and more effective.
Learning is supported by a range of teaching approaches that help children develop their ideas and become increasingly independent.
Talking and sharing ideas
Group discussions and partner talk give children time to explore ideas, explain their thinking and listen to different perspectives. These conversations help them prepare for writing and build the vocabulary they need to communicate effectively.
Modelled writing
Teachers demonstrate how to write, making their thinking visible as they choose words, construct sentences and make decisions about their work. Through regular modelling, including sentence accuracy sessions, children learn how to apply new skills and develop their own writing.
Shared writing
Teachers draw on children's ideas to create pieces of writing together. This helps children understand how a piece of writing develops, while giving them a sense of pride and ownership in the finished work.
Questioning and feedback
Teachers use carefully chosen questions and feedback to check understanding, encourage children to think more deeply and identify how they can improve.
Editing and redrafting
Children have regular opportunities to revisit their writing, consider what is working well and make improvements. They learn that successful writing often develops through practice, reflection and perseverance.
Working walls
Working walls capture the learning journey throughout a unit. They include vocabulary, modelled examples and other helpful resources that children can refer to as they develop their own work.
Together, these approaches help create a supportive classroom environment where children are encouraged to share ideas, learn from mistakes and grow in confidence.
In the classroom – an example
When beginning a new writing unit, children explore a high-quality text and discuss its language, characters, ideas or features. They investigate new vocabulary, identify how the text is structured and consider its purpose and audience.
With support from their teacher, they practise the grammar, punctuation and sentence structures they will need. They then plan and write their own piece, drawing on what they have learnt and using modelled examples and classroom resources to support them.
Once their first draft is complete, children review and edit their work, thinking about how they can make it more effective for their intended reader.
This process helps children understand that writing is not simply about putting words on a page. It is about making choices, communicating meaning and developing their ideas.
What you may notice
You may notice your child becoming more confident when talking about books, using new vocabulary in everyday conversations or taking greater care over their written work.
They may enjoy sharing stories, explaining their ideas, spotting interesting words or talking about how they could improve a piece of writing. These are all important steps towards becoming an independent and enthusiastic writer.
Impact: What children achieve in English at Bamford Academy
At Bamford Academy, we want our children to leave us as confident, enthusiastic writers who can communicate their ideas clearly and adapt their writing for different purposes and audiences.
Through high-quality teaching, carefully planned learning and appropriate support, children build their literacy knowledge and develop the skills they need to make progress. Quality first teaching is supported by targeted interventions where appropriate, helping us respond to individual needs while maintaining high aspirations for every child.
Assessment takes place throughout the learning process. Teachers use questioning, discussion, observation and children's written work to understand what pupils know, identify next steps and support further progress.
We also believe that writing should have a purpose beyond the classroom. Visits, visitors, exhibitions, performances, competitions and events involving other schools provide opportunities for children to write, share their learning and celebrate their achievements with parents, carers and the wider community.
What success looks like
Success is about more than producing a finished piece of writing. It is about children who:
- Express their ideas with growing confidence and independence.
- Write clearly and accurately, using appropriate vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Understand how to adapt their writing for different purposes and audiences.
- Take pride in their work and are willing to review, edit and improve it.
- Enjoy sharing their ideas and responding thoughtfully to the work of others.
- Show creativity, resilience and perseverance when faced with a challenge.
We are proud to nurture a community of enthusiastic writers who enjoy showcasing their developing knowledge and skills. We want children to feel confident enough to experiment, take risks and recognise that their ideas are worth sharing.
As children move on from Bamford Academy to further education and learning, we hope they take with them a lasting love of reading and writing, alongside the creativity, communication skills and confidence to continue learning and making a positive difference throughout their lives.
What your child will learn in English: Curriculum Overview
Our English curriculum develops children's writing skills progressively as they move through primary school. Each stage builds on previous learning, helping children strengthen their knowledge and apply it with increasing confidence and independence.
Through Ready Steady Write, children explore a range of high-quality texts and develop their understanding of different forms of writing. They learn how to organise their ideas, select effective vocabulary, construct accurate sentences and use spelling, grammar and punctuation to communicate clearly.
Speaking and listening underpin this learning. Children are encouraged to discuss texts, share their thoughts, ask questions and explain their choices before and during the writing process.
Across the curriculum, children have opportunities to write for a variety of purposes, helping them understand how their skills can be used in different subjects and real-life situations.
Our aim is to ensure that every child develops a secure foundation in literacy and is prepared for the next stage of their learning.
How can I help my child with English at home?
You do not need to be a writing expert to support your child's progress. Everyday conversations, shared reading and opportunities to play with words can all help children become more confident communicators.
Here are a few simple ways to help:
- Talk together: Encourage your child to explain their ideas, tell you about their day or make up their own stories.
- Read regularly: Sharing books exposes children to new vocabulary, different sentence structures and ideas that can inspire their own writing.
- Explore words: Talk about interesting words you come across in books, on signs or during everyday activities. Discuss what they mean and how they could be used.
- Make writing meaningful: Encourage your child to write shopping lists, birthday cards, letters, messages, stories or instructions.
- Celebrate their efforts: Show an interest in what your child has written. Ask them what they enjoyed, what they are proud of and what they might change next time.
- Encourage independence: Give your child time to think of their own ideas and try things out, reassuring them that mistakes are a natural part of learning.
Above all, help your child see writing as an enjoyable way to express themselves, communicate with others and make their ideas count.
Supporting every child
We want every child at Bamford Academy to have the opportunity to become a confident and successful writer. Our curriculum recognises that children have different starting points, strengths and learning needs, and we adapt our teaching to help them make progress.
High-quality classroom teaching is supported by carefully targeted interventions where appropriate. Teachers use discussion, modelling, vocabulary support, structured activities and feedback to help children develop the knowledge and confidence they need.
We maintain high expectations for all pupils while recognising that children may need different levels of support or additional challenge to achieve their potential.
If you have questions about your child's writing or would like advice on how to support them at home, please speak to their class teacher. We are always happy to work in partnership with families to help every child thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions about English at Bamford Academy
What writing scheme does Bamford Academy use?
We use Ready Steady Write by Literacy Counts. This programme is built around high-quality, engaging texts and provides a clear sequence of learning to help children develop their writing skills.
Why is reading important for writing?
Reading introduces children to new vocabulary, different sentence structures, writing styles and ideas. Exploring high-quality literature helps children understand how writers communicate with their readers and inspires them to develop their own writing.
How do children learn grammar, spelling and punctuation?
These skills are developed as part of our writing curriculum. Children explore vocabulary, grammar and punctuation in context and practise applying their knowledge through sentence accuracy sessions and their own written work.
How do teachers help children improve their writing?
Teachers model writing, provide opportunities for shared and independent writing, and give children regular opportunities to review, edit and redraft their work. Questioning and feedback help children understand what they are doing well and how they can improve.
How do you support children who find writing difficult?
We provide quality first teaching for all children, adapting our approach to meet individual needs. Targeted interventions are used where appropriate to help children develop their skills and make progress.
How can I find out more about what my child is learning?
Your child's class teacher can discuss their progress and current learning with you. Please contact the school if you would like further information about the English curriculum or ways to support your child at home.
View and download our English curriculum documents:
Our two key documents explain what we teach and why. You can read them online or download a copy.
English Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement
Get in touch
If you have questions about our English curriculum, your child's progress or how you can support their writing at home, please get in touch. We are always happy to talk with families.
Contact the school office on 01706 631496 or email office@bamfordacademy.co.uk. You can also visit our Contact page.
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