At Black Combe Junior School, we believe that every day, every opportunity, every experience and every child counts. Through our English curriculum, we aim to foster a love of reading, writing and communication that will stay with our children throughout their lives. We believe that language is at the heart of learning and that every child deserves the opportunity to develop the confidence and skills needed to express themselves, share their ideas and achieve their full potential.

Reading is a central part of life at Black Combe Junior School. We are passionate about helping children discover the joy of books and developing a lifelong love of reading. In the early stages, children learn to read through Read Write Inc. Phonics, which provides a structured and engaging approach to developing early reading skills and confidence. As pupils grow as readers, they are introduced to a rich range of high-quality texts that spark imagination, encourage curiosity and open doors to new worlds, ideas and experiences.

Our writing curriculum is delivered through The Literacy Tree, where high-quality children's literature sits at the heart of learning. Through inspiring books, children are given meaningful opportunities to write for a range of purposes and audiences while developing their creativity, vocabulary and understanding of language. We encourage pupils to see themselves as authors, helping them to build confidence in sharing their ideas, experimenting with language and taking pride in their writing. 

We believe that every child can become a successful writer. Through discussion, shared learning, modelled writing and opportunities to edit and improve their work, children develop the skills needed to communicate clearly and effectively. Writing is assessed using The Literacy Tree RATE assessment framework, helping teachers to celebrate progress, identify next steps and ensure that every child is supported and challenged to achieve their very best.

Spelling is taught through EdShed, providing engaging opportunities for children to practise and apply their spelling knowledge. Through regular teaching and practice, pupils develop confidence, accuracy and independence, enabling them to apply these skills successfully across the curriculum.

English is an important part of our vision to nurture children as individuals, celebrate their uniqueness and prepare them for the next stage of their education and future life. Through reading and writing, pupils develop creativity, resilience and empathy. They learn about different people, places, cultures and experiences, helping them to understand themselves, others and the world around them.

Our English curriculum supports the core values that underpin life at Black Combe Junior School:

• Responsibility by encouraging pupils to take ownership of their learning and persevere when faced with challenges.
• Co-operation through discussion, sharing ideas and learning collaboratively with others.
• Honesty by reflecting thoughtfully on their work and recognising both achievements and areas for development.
• Respect through valuing different viewpoints, experiences and the work of authors from a range of backgrounds.
• Kindness by listening carefully, encouraging others and celebrating one another's successes.

English also helps our children develop a sense of belonging within their local, national and global communities. Through stories, poetry and a wide range of texts, pupils develop an appreciation of diversity and a deeper understanding of the world around them. They learn that words have the power to inform, inspire, connect and bring people together.

At Black Combe Junior School, we want every child to leave with a love of reading, confidence in their writing and the communication skills needed to thrive in the future. By fostering curiosity, imagination and creativity, we aim to inspire lifelong learners and help our pupils grow, achieve, aspire and inspire.