English

Our use of the CUSP English Curriculum provides us with a whole school approach to Reading, Writing and Spelling. The curriculum is based on vast educational research, and it follows a clear pathway of progression throughout school, ensuring all children have the opportunity to develop strong Literacy skills.

The CUSP curriculum places language front and centre, with a clearly defined approach to the teaching of new vocabulary. It includes a systematic approach to how knowledge is introduced, and learning is continually revisited to ensure pupils know more and remember more over time. Each lesson follows strong learning routines, freeing up precious mental capacity for understanding more demanding concepts.

CUSP Writing lessons use a broad range of supporting texts which contain examples of how the concepts that are being taught can be used effectively. Through discussion, modelling and oral rehearsing, the children will be taught the components they need to confidently create their own writing pieces. Each lesson has the following learning routine…

Connect Revisiting prior learning and making connections with current lesson

Explain Introduction to new vocabulary and explanation of core concept using model text

Example Teacher models key concept

Attempt Pupils practise together with support of the teacher

Apply Pupils practise independently

Challenge Opportunities given to deepen understanding and sophisticate thinking.

Please see the Long Term Writing sequence:

writing

Writing Long Term Sequence

Updated: 29/09/2023 454 KB

CUSP Reading exposes pupils to a range of high-quality literature that is both broad and rich. It gives every child a mirror in which to see themselves and offers a window for children to see a world beyond their own. The content centres on key themes relevant to modern life and aims to promote discussion and provoke response. These themes include, for example, environmental sustainability, diversity, British and global heritage and exploration of important social, moral, ethical and cultural debates.

Reading lessons immerse the children in core texts from the Literature Spine, focussing on reading fluency, expanding vocabulary and thinking deeply about the texts.

Please see the wonderful texts included in our Literature Spine:

Literature Spine

Updated: 29/09/2023 223 KB

CUSP Spelling builds consistency across the school and ensures that pupils acquire deep knowledge about the English spelling system. The curriculum is written cumulatively and is a balanced approach, drawing together knowledge about phonics and vocabulary and pairing this with pattern seeking and reasoning. Spelling knowledge is practiced and applied regularly during lessons. Rather than formal weekly tests which focus purely on recall, our Home Learning Tasks will now focus on applying key spelling concepts taught in lessons.

Please see the Long Term Spelling sequence: