At The Willows School, we believe that English—in its core elements of reading, writing, and communication & language—is fundamental to supporting every aspect of our learners’ education. Because the principles of English underpin all areas of our curriculum, we aim to provide pupils with opportunities to:
- Develop their ability to communicate and interact effectively with others, speaking, listening, and responding in a range of social situations.
- Build skills across the four key areas of English: communication and language, reading, and writing.
- Enjoy and engage with a wide range of literature and text types, fostering both reading for pleasure and the ability to access texts that broaden their experiences and understanding.
- Use writing as a purposeful communication skill in both creative and functional contexts.
- Develop creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through the exploration of language.
Early reading is supported through the use of Rocket Phonics, which ensures pupils gain secure decoding skills, fluency, and confidence. As they progress, we place equal importance on promoting Reading for Pleasure and on developing functional literacy, equipping pupils with the essential skills they need to thrive in the community, further education, and employment.
Our English curriculum is carefully planned to meet the needs of all pupils. We recognise the difficulties individual learners may face with communication and language, and we build on their strengths while providing the support needed to overcome barriers.
Delivery of English at The Willows
English instruction across the school is delivered through a structured and differentiated model, encompassing four core strands:
- Phonics
- English Topic Lessons
- English Basic Skills (aligned with Pearson Functional Skills Qualifications)
- Reading for Pleasure
The delivery of these components is developmentally informed and varies according to pupils’ age and stage. In the early years and lower key stages, there is a stronger emphasis on systematic phonics instruction, reflecting the importance of early decoding skills as outlined in the Rose Report (DfES, 2006) and further supported by the EEF’s Improving Literacy in Key Stage 1 guidance (2021). As learners progress through the school, the focus transitions towards English Basic Skills. These lessons support the development of functional literacy and prepare learners for formal accreditation, particularly within the Pearson Functional Skills framework.
This graduated approach ensures that learners are equipped with both foundational literacy and applied language skills, which are essential for success in education and everyday life (DfE, 2013; Ofsted, 2022). The incorporation of Reading for Pleasure throughout the curriculum further reflects research that highlights its positive impact on vocabulary development, comprehension, and overall academic achievement (OECD, 2002; Cremin et al., 2014).
Please note, our curriculum plans are currently under development. If you require any further information please contact our Curriculum Lead, Mrs C Stewart – cstewart@nexusmat.org