At St Hilda’s CE Primary School, we nurture every child to become a Word Wizard—a confident, articulate communicator who can read, write, speak, and listen with clarity, creativity, and purpose. Through a carefully structured and inclusive approach—tailored to our school context and unique demographics—we equip all pupils with the essential skills in reading, writing, transcription, grammar, punctuation, and oracy to enable them to succeed across the curriculum and beyond.

We believe that language is fundamental to learning, self-expression, and communication. Reading lies at the heart of our curriculum: it is the gateway through which our Word Wizards explore new worlds, ideas, and perspectives. We prioritise the development of fluent, confident readers who can access the full breadth of learning. Through exposure to a rich and diverse range of high-quality fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, pupils develop not only their comprehension and vocabulary, but also their cultural, social, and emotional understanding. We actively promote a love of reading, ensuring all children—including our most vulnerable—experience both the enjoyment and the transformative power of books.

Writing is taught as both a craft and a powerful form of expression. As Word Wizards, pupils learn to harness language with precision and imagination. Drawing on high-quality, diverse texts and meaningful cross-curricular links, they are inspired to write for a range of purposes and audiences. We ensure children develop secure transcription skills alongside a strong understanding of grammar and punctuation, enabling them to write with accuracy, coherence, and increasing sophistication. Through a structured process of planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing, pupils learn to reflect on and improve their work, building both independence and resilience.

Oracy underpins all aspects of our English curriculum. We provide regular opportunities for pupils to develop their spoken language skills through discussion, presentation, and collaborative learning. In doing so, our Word Wizards learn to articulate ideas clearly, listen thoughtfully, and engage confidently in a range of contexts.

Our English curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils:

• read fluently and widely, developing a lifelong love of reading;
• write effectively for a range of purposes and audiences, using appropriate structure, style, and vocabulary;
• apply accurate transcription skills alongside a secure understanding of grammar and punctuation;
• draw on rich, diverse texts and experiences to inform and enhance their communication;
• speak clearly and confidently, expressing ideas and engaging in meaningful dialogue;
• develop resilience and independence through the writing and editing process;
• make strong connections between reading, vocabulary, speaking, and writing;
• access a fully inclusive curriculum that meets individual needs while maintaining high expectations for all.

Through this approach, we aim to nurture pupils who are not only academically successful but also imaginative, expressive, and confident Word Wizards, fully equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed in the next stage of their education.

Please use this link to view St Hilda's English Policies - Speaking and Listening, Spelling and Writing.

At St Hilda’s CE Primary School, our mission is to foster a lifelong love of language. Through our Word Wizards literacy initiative, every child is encouraged to develop as a reader and writer—building creativity, confidence, and skill as they discover the power of words.

We believe that language is a powerful tool that enables children to express their thoughts, share ideas, and connect with the world around them. In today’s digital age, we teach our pupils to value both the written and spoken word, recognising their importance and purpose.

We aim for every child to become a confident and capable user of language. Mastery of reading and writing is not achieved by chance; it requires curiosity, practice, and the right support.

A key part of our reading culture is the Word Wizard Reading Ambassadors. These pupils promote reading across the school by sharing recommendations, encouraging others to explore new texts, and celebrating reading in every classroom. Their role helps to make reading visible, social, and valued, supporting all children to see themselves as confident readers.

At St Hilda’s, our Word Wizards initiative supports pupils in becoming confident, skilled writers. Children develop their writing through clear stages: securing handwriting, learning key spellings, exploring vocabulary, and applying a range of writing techniques.

Effort and creativity are recognised and celebrated through the Word Wizards’ Wall of Fame. Regular feedback and guidance help pupils refine their work, build confidence, and take pride in their writing.