English
At Highwood, we believe that English is not merely a subject, but a sacred invitation—to shape the world through language, to explore selfhood through story, and to wield words with both power and grace.
Our English curriculum is deliberately designed to cultivate confident, imaginative writers and articulate speakers who find joy in expression and depth in reading. Influenced by Pie Corbett’s Talk for Writing, our approach is grounded in the belief that language grows best when it is first lived—spoken, heard, played with—before it is written. Children are immersed in a rich tapestry of carefully selected texts: timeless tales, diverse voices, functional forms, and poetic reverie. These are not chosen at random, but purposefully curated to inspire, to teach, and to anchor writing in real, resonant contexts.
Our intent is threefold:
- To nurture capable communicators who command the structures of language with fluency and flexibility.
- To ignite creative thinkers who can craft narrative, argue a viewpoint, or inform with clarity and conviction.
- To instil a lifelong love of reading, where books are both mirrors and windows—reflecting identity and expanding understanding.
Progression is not accidental. Knowledge and skills are carefully sequenced to support cumulative growth—each new genre, each grammatical form, each composition builds upon the last, deepening a child’s schema and empowering them to write with increasing sophistication and style. Vocabulary is explicitly taught and woven throughout, enabling pupils to move from basic function to eloquent expression.
The impact of our curriculum is seen not only in the quality of written outcomes, but in the quiet confidence of a child who knows that their voice matters. Our pupils become authors of their own stories, critics of what they read, and thoughtful participants in the dialogue of the world.
We are not simply teaching English—we are equipping children to speak truth, shape thought, and leave behind written legacies that endure.
English Curriculum overview
Below you will find our English knowledge organisers for each year group
Year R English Knowledge Organiser
Year 1 English Knowledge Organiser
Year 2 English Knowledge Organiser
Year 3 English Knowledge Organiser