English

Phonics

Our pupils enter our EYFS with limited, if any, phonetic knowledge. We are passionate about reading so read a large variety of books which helps to increase their vocabulary and knowledge of the English language.We encourage our pupils to listen to sounds around them as well as learning a range of rhymes before embarking upon our synthetic phonics program. This approach ensures all our pupils make rapid progress and learn to read swiftly. 

If you would like to support the learning journey of your child we highly recommend the website https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/

Reading

At Longwood we want our pupils to read for pleasure. To achieve this love of reading, it is embedded in all we do across our school. Reading also feeds our pupils’ imagination and opens up a world of wonder and joy for their curious minds. Teachers and pupils alike share personal recommendations ranging from magazines, newspapers, graphic novels and facilities for online reading as well as traditional novels.

Our well stocked library has been specially designed by the pupils to be inviting and inspirational. All the books in the library are purchased based on pupil recommendation and are consequently thoroughly enjoyed by all. Many of the books are used for our daily whole class story sessions across the school.

We emphasise phonics in the early teaching of reading when our pupils first start school. Despite the fact that our pupils join us with a very low starting point, our use of the ”Little Wandle” scheme ensures that our teaching of phonics is consistent and effective. This means that by the phonics screening test, our data is above national average.

Good comprehension draws from vocabulary and grammar and on pupils knowledge of the world. We develop comprehension skills through structured guided reading and our class story as well as immersing our pupils in texts relating to the theme for that term. This increases pupils’ vocabulary because they encounter words they would rarely hear or use in their everyday speech.

By the time our pupils leave Longwood, they can confidently read fluently, opening up a world of opportunity to them.

Writing

At Longwood, we are passionate about developing confident, capable writers who enjoy expressing their ideas clearly and creatively. To support this, we use Jane Considine’s The Write Stuff approach to teaching English, a carefully structured and evidence-based method that places high-quality texts, rich vocabulary and sentence-level understanding at the heart of writing.

The Write Stuff helps children understand how writing works, not just what to write. Through explicit teaching of grammar, sentence structure and authorial choices, pupils develop a strong understanding of how words and sentences create meaning. This enables them to write with greater confidence, accuracy and purpose across a range of genres.

The approach supports children of all abilities by breaking writing down into manageable steps. Visual scaffolds, clear modelling and repeated opportunities for practice help pupils build independence, stamina and pride in their work. As a result, children become more adventurous with vocabulary, more secure in spelling and grammar, and more able to plan, draft and improve their writing.

The Write Stuff aligns closely with the Department for Education’s Writing Framework, supporting high expectations in transcription, composition and writing for a clear audience and purpose. It ensures that grammar and punctuation are taught meaningfully within the context of real writing, while promoting consistency, progression and inclusion across the school.

By using The Write Stuff, we aim to give every child the tools they need to succeed as writers—preparing them not only for the next stage of their education, but for effective communication beyond the classroom.

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