News & Letters
KS2 English

Key Stage 2


English

English helps us talk, write, and learn about the world. It’s the language we use to share stories, play games, and make friends everywhere!

ABOUT ENGLISH AT NEW HEIGHTS KEY STAGE 2

At New Heights Primary, our English curriculum is designed to nurture a love of reading, writing, and language, supporting each child’s development in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

We are excited to use Ready Steady Write, a comprehensive and engaging writing program that helps students develop strong writing skills from an early age. This program is structured, yet flexible, focusing on building the confidence and skills children need to become effective writers. Ready Steady Write encourages creativity, clarity, and coherence in writing, with a focus on both the process and the product.

English is Amazing

Subject Content

Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum

We don’t just teach writing in isolation. At New Heights, we integrate writing throughout the curriculum, ensuring that children have opportunities to write in different subjects, whether it’s a science report, a historical diary entry, or a creative story inspired by a topic.

Building a Love of Reading

Reading and writing go hand in hand. That’s why we place a strong emphasis on reading as part of our English program. By regularly engaging with high-quality texts, children improve their vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Through class stories, independent reading, and guided reading sessions, students are exposed to a wide variety of books, authors, and genres, helping them become passionate readers and thoughtful writers.

Why English Matters at New Heights

At New Heights, we know that English skills are essential for children’s success both in school and in life. Whether writing a letter, telling a story, or explaining an idea, strong English skills help children communicate clearly and confidently. With Ready Steady Write, we aim to provide a solid foundation for all our students, nurturing their ability to write well and love what they write!

We look forward to seeing our students develop into enthusiastic writers, ready to take on new challenges and express themselves with clarity and creativity.

Curriculum Principles

How Ready Steady Write Supports Learning
  • Structured Progression: The Ready Steady Write program takes children on a clear journey, starting with basic sentence structures in the early years and advancing to more complex writing tasks in later stages. It builds the scaffolding needed to improve grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and sentence construction.
  • Creative Writing: At New Heights, we believe writing should be fun and imaginative. Ready Steady Write encourages children to express themselves creatively through story writing, poetry, and descriptive writing. Students are given opportunities to explore different genres and styles through exciting prompts and themed lessons.
  • Focused Skill Development: Writing is not just about putting pen to paper. The program equips children with essential skills such as planning, drafting, editing, and revising. By providing clear models and examples, students learn to approach writing tasks step by step.
  • Grammar and Punctuation: As part of Ready Steady Write, children work on improving their grammar and punctuation. Fun activities and exercises help them understand the rules of language and apply them confidently in their writing.
  • Collaboration and Feedback: We encourage students to share their writing with others. Peer feedback and teacher guidance help children refine their work and develop pride in what they create.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment in English helps us track progress in key skills like reading, writing, speaking, and listening. We use:

  • Ongoing Assessments: Observations, discussions, and class activities to monitor understanding.
  • Written Work Reviews: Regular marking of writing to assess grammar, vocabulary, and creativity.
  • Reading Assessments: Tasks and quizzes to measure comprehension and fluency.

 

Feedback is clear and actionable, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement. Through verbal, written, and peer feedback, children gain confidence and understand how to improve their work, ensuring steady progress in their English skills.

Links to Everyday Life

English is essential for everyday life, helping children communicate clearly, express ideas, and understand the world around them. Strong reading skills foster a love for learning and help navigate information, while writing develops creativity and the ability to share thoughts effectively.

Speaking and listening skills build confidence in conversations, teamwork, and problem-solving. From reading signs to writing letters and sharing ideas, English equips children with the tools they need to thrive in school, their community, and beyond.

DEAR