English
English is a core subject at St Mary Cray Primary and sits at the heart of our curriculum. Through high-quality teaching of reading, writing, speaking and listening, we equip children with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed academically and communicate effectively in the wider world.
Our English curriculum is ambitious, carefully sequenced and inclusive, ensuring that all pupils — including those who require additional support — are supported to excel. Central to our approach is a carefully planned reading canon, through which we select high-quality texts designed to engage, inspire and challenge our pupils. These texts foster a love of reading while providing rich models for writing across a range of genres. Enrichment opportunities and meaningful links across the curriculum help children to see the relevance and value of English in their everyday lives.
By the time children leave St Mary Cray Primary, they are confident readers, thoughtful writers and articulate speakers with a genuine enjoyment of English that prepares them well for the next stage of their education and beyond.
Three-Phase Writing Model
Learning is structured through our three-phase model of teaching: Study, Twist and Create. Children first explore and analyse high-quality texts, developing their understanding of language, structure and authorial choice. They are then encouraged to adapt and experiment with ideas and techniques before finally applying their learning independently to create purposeful, high-quality written outcomes.
Oracy
Oracy underpins learning across our whole curriculum and plays a vital role in supporting English lessons. Through structured talk, discussion, debate and performance, pupils develop the confidence to express their ideas clearly, listen actively and build on the contributions of others. This focus on oracy strengthens comprehension, deepens understanding and enables children to articulate their thinking, laying strong foundations for high-quality reading and writing.
We embed structured talk into daily teaching so that pupils learn through talk and to talk. This includes discussion, debate, storytelling, oral rehearsal and reflection. Where needed, pupils receive targeted support to develop their spoken language, including vocabulary development, structured questioning and guided discussion.