English at Enfield Academy of New Waltham
Why We Study English
At Enfield Academy, English sits at the heart of our curriculum because it enables pupils to communicate their thoughts, ideas and emotions with clarity and confidence. A strong command of spoken and written language empowers children to participate fully in school life and in the wider world. Through high‑quality literature, pupils develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually, gaining insight into the experiences of others while learning to express their own. Reading broadens knowledge, writing deepens understanding, and spoken language strengthens thinking — together forming the foundation for academic success.
We are a vocabulary‑rich school because we recognise that a child’s vocabulary is directly linked to their achievement across the curriculum. Spoken language development enhances wellbeing, reasoning, social interaction and cognitive growth. As pupils learn to speak, listen, read and write with increasing sophistication, they gain the tools needed to understand the world and communicate effectively within it. At Enfield Academy, we are committed to ensuring every child becomes a fluent reader, an articulate speaker and a confident, purposeful writer.
How We Teach English
English at Enfield Academy is taught through a carefully sequenced, book‑led curriculum that follows the National Curriculum and reflects our commitment to high‑quality language and literacy. From EYFS to Year 6, pupils experience a rich diet of literature that inspires discussion, deepens vocabulary and provides meaningful contexts for writing. Writing is taught through a clear, structured process: pupils explore genre features, analyse model texts, learn key grammatical and punctuation skills, plan, draft, revise and edit their work. Teacher modelling and shared writing are central to our approach, ensuring pupils understand how effective writing is crafted.
Writing Implementation:
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EYFS pupils develop early mark‑making, phonics‑based writing and oral sentence construction.
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In KS1, pupils build automaticity in transcription through Phonics Bug, handwriting and spelling patterns.
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In KS2, pupils refine their authorial voice, apply grammar in context and write increasingly complex texts across a range of genres.
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Spelling is taught systematically through Phonics Bug (KS1) and Spelling Shed (KS2), developing knowledge of morphology, etymology and spelling rules.
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Handwriting is taught daily from EYFS to Year 5 to ensure fluent, legible, joined writing.
Oracy Implementation: Classrooms are vocabulary‑rich environments where pupils learn through structured talk, collaborative learning and explicit vocabulary instruction. Talk partners, discussion routines and carefully planned speaking and listening tasks ensure pupils learn to articulate ideas clearly, listen actively and use language purposefully. Vocabulary organisers, retrieval practice and explicit teaching ensure new words are embedded and applied across the curriculum.
Across reading, writing and spoken language, teachers use retrieval practice, modelling, scaffolding and peer critique to build independence and confidence. Assessment is ongoing and informs planning, ensuring misconceptions are addressed promptly and progress is sustained.
What Is Special About English at Enfield Academy
English at Enfield Academy is distinctive because it is rooted in high expectations, rich literature and a whole‑school commitment to vocabulary and communication. Pupils engage with complete texts, meaningful writing opportunities and purposeful talk in every year group. Our book‑led curriculum ensures that reading and writing are connected, authentic and enjoyable. Pupils learn to write for real audiences and purposes, developing pride in their work and confidence in their authorial voice.
We place a strong emphasis on oracy, recognising that spoken language underpins success in reading and writing. Our classrooms are alive with discussion, questioning and shared thinking, enabling pupils to develop the language skills needed to thrive academically and socially. Cross‑curricular writing opportunities ensure pupils apply their English skills widely, strengthening understanding across subjects.
Through carefully structured progression, high‑quality teaching and a culture that celebrates language, pupils at Enfield Academy leave us as confident communicators, enthusiastic readers and skilled writers — ready for the next stage of their education and for life beyond primary school.
Our mission statement - At Enfield Academy, we help every child find their voice. We believe speaking and listening are just as important as reading and writing. We are determined to encourage our children to explore opportunities through meaningful and purposeful talk. Our mission is to support our pupils in building confidence and becoming curious, collaborative and respectful communicators. Through talk-rich classrooms and oracy-focused teaching, we teach our children the skills to express themselves clearly, listen carefully, and grow into thoughtful and articulate learners.
At Enfield Academy we are fostering a culture where oracy skills are a priority, creating classrooms that are talk-rich environments, and empowering all students, especially those who need it most, to find their voice and become agents of positive change.
At Enfield Academy, we believe that reading is the foundation of learning, confidence, and joy. Phonics is taught systematically and inclusively, giving every child the tools to decode, spell, and access the written word. Reading lessons build fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, helping pupils to understand, question, and enjoy a wide range of texts. We prioritise reading for pleasure, creating time, space, and celebration around books that spark imagination and empathy. Our classrooms are rich in stories, and our children are encouraged to choose, share, and talk about what they read. We have recently proudly achieved the Bronze Reading Pledge, recognising our commitment to nurturing a culture of reading across the school.
This Here for support with pronunciation of Phonic sounds taught to our children.
Below is some useful information regarding our Phonics Bug Program:
Phonics at Enfield
Reading at Enfield
Writing at primary level should be purposeful, imaginative, and rooted in rich language experiences. At Enfield Academy, we champion this through the Writing for Purpose approach, using high-quality texts to inspire children to write with clarity, creativity, and intent. Our spelling curriculum is supported by the Scode scheme, ensuring consistent, systematic development of spelling knowledge across all year groups. In EYFS, children begin their journey with Drawing Club, where storytelling and illustration spark early writing and language. As they move into Year 1, they progress to Curious Quests, building narrative structure, vocabulary, and stamina through playful, purposeful writing. This carefully sequenced approach ensures every child becomes a confident, expressive writer with the tools to communicate and create.
Writing at Enfield