At Waltham Leas Primary Academy, we are committed to creating a learning environment where every pupil feels they belong, can grow, and are empowered to achieve their full potential. We believe that all pupils are entitled to an education of the highest quality, rooted in strong foundations in phonics, reading, writing and spelling.

Our literacy curriculum is carefully designed so that children belong to a rich and vibrant community of readers. We immerse pupils in high-quality texts and celebrated authors, nurturing a shared love of stories, language and imagination. This sense of belonging is strengthened through regular opportunities to engage with reading both at school and at home, including weekly recommended reads and dedicated reading-for-pleasure sessions built into the timetable across school. We also celebrate our community of readers by recognising Star Readers in assemblies, promoting new and challenging texts through our Bookflix display, and providing opportunities for children to share and swap books that spark their interest.. 

We ensure children grow as confident, fluent and purposeful writers through explicit teaching of a wide range of text types and genres. Our writing curriculum supports pupils in developing clear, legible communication and their own unique authorial voice. Alongside this, we offer opportunities for pupils to grow as articulate speakers who communicate with clarity, expression and confidence across a variety of contexts.

Through our broad and balanced curriculum, we seek to empower every child to apply their literacy skills across all subjects. High-quality texts and purposeful learning experiences enable pupils to think critically, express their ideas, and develop independence as learners. We provide meaningful opportunities for pupils to practise, refine and showcase their literacy skills so they feel empowered to succeed both within school and beyond.

The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:

• read easily, fluently and with good understanding
• develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
• acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
• appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
• write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
• use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
• are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.