English is at the heart of Griffydam and underpins every aspect of learning. Through reading, writing, speaking, and listening, children develop the essential communication skills they need for life. We aim to foster a love of language and literature by exposing pupils to a wide range of high-quality texts that inspire imagination and creativity. Our English lessons are carefully planned to build confidence and skill in spelling, grammar, and punctuation, while also encouraging children to express their own ideas with clarity and flair. Discussion, storytelling, and performance play a key role in helping pupils develop their voice and understanding. By the time they leave primary school, our children are equipped with the tools to read fluently, write effectively, and communicate thoughtfully in any context.
Writing
Writing is a vital skill that helps children express their ideas clearly, think creatively, and communicate effectively. At our school, we use the Talk for Writing approach to make writing enjoyable, purposeful, and accessible for all learners. Through Talk for Writing, children first explore stories and texts by talking, acting, and sharing ideas before they begin to write. This process builds confidence, enriches vocabulary, and deepens understanding of language structure. By moving from imitation to innovation and finally to independent writing, pupils develop the skills to craft thoughtful, imaginative, and well-structured pieces. Talk for Writing not only strengthens literacy skills but also fosters a lifelong love of storytelling and communication.
Reading
At our school, we believe that reading is the foundation of all learning and one of the most important skills a child can develop. Reading opens doors to new ideas, knowledge, and worlds of imagination, helping children to become curious, confident learners. We embed reading across all areas of the curriculum, encouraging pupils to use their reading skills to explore, question, and deepen their understanding in every subject. Our classrooms are filled with rich, engaging texts, and we promote reading for pleasure through daily reading time, author visits, and a well-stocked library that inspires a love of books. By nurturing strong reading habits, we help children build the vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills that support success both in school and beyond.
Speaking and listening
Speaking and listening are at the heart of effective communication and play a vital role in every child’s learning journey. At our school, we value spoken language as a powerful tool for thinking, learning, and building relationships. Through discussion, storytelling, drama, debate, and presentation, pupils learn to express their ideas clearly, listen attentively to others, and develop confidence in sharing their thoughts. We create many opportunities for purposeful talk across the curriculum, helping children to expand their vocabulary, deepen understanding, and refine their ability to reason and explain. By nurturing strong speaking and listening skills, we prepare our pupils to be articulate, respectful communicators who can engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
