Why do we learn English?
At Brunel, we believe that a quality English curriculum should develop children’s love of reading, writing and discussion. We have a rigorous and well organised English curriculum that provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion.
Our approach
Our curriculum closely follows the aims of the National Curriculum for English 2014 to enable all children to:
- 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.
Year 1
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Narrative: Traditional Tales |
Narrative : Character description
|
| Non- fiction: Recount based on a real experience | Non- Fiction: Non-chronological report on toys |
|
Class Literature: Three little pigs |
Class Literature : The Wooden Camel
|
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Narrative: Speech in role as different animal | Narrative: Setting description(s) from the journey |
|
Non- Fiction: Recount the journey |
Non Fiction: Instructions – based on DT car building |
|
Class Literature: Mr Grumpy’s Motorcar |
Class Literature: The Last Stop on Market Street |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Non- fiction: Letter to the Queen | Narrative: Stories about fantasy world |
| Poetry: Fictional diary entry in role | Non- fiction: Explanation – Why we should look after our seasides |
|
Class Literature: The Queen’s Handbag |
Class Literature: Julian is a Mermaid
|
Year 2
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Narrative: Short adventure |
Narrative: Description of character
|
| Non- fiction: Biography of British monarch | Non- Fiction: Instructions |
|
Class Literature: Tales of King Arthur |
Class Literature : George’s Marvellous Medicine
|
|
Text Fiction: Extract from Class Literature Non Fiction: Biography for Black History month |
Text: Fiction: Extract from Class Literature Vlad and the Great Fire of London Non Fiction: Charles II Biography Poetry: The Great Fire |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Poetry: Song about the Earth | Narrative: Story writing from different character perspective |
|
Non- Fiction: Information guide to living on Earth |
Non Fiction: Newspaper report – Iron Man saving the day |
|
Class Literature: Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth |
Class Literature: The Iron Man |
|
Text Fiction: Extract from Class Literature, How to Catch a Str by Oliver Jeffers Non Fiction: “Climate” Poetry: Extract from Class Literature, I am a Seed That Grew the Tree book of poetry, Fiona |
Text: Fiction: Extract from Class Literature, The Iron Lady extract, Ted Hughes Non Fiction: “Asian Animals” Poetry: I am a Seed That Grew the Tree book of poetry, Fiona Waters |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Non-fiction: Letter to Malala | Non-fiction: Persuasion – Visit Kenya |
| Non-fiction: Persuasion - Speech – “If I had a magic pencil…” | Narrative: Retelling from different perspective |
|
Class Literature: Malala’s Magic Pencil |
Class Literature: The Akimbo Adventures
|
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Text Fiction: Extract from Class Literature The Day the Crayons Quit, Oliver Jeffers Non-Fiction: Greta Thunberg (Little People, Big Dreams), Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara Poetry: Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright, Fiona Waters |
Text Fiction: Extract from Class Literature Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, John Steptoe Non-Fiction: Non-chronological report about Kenya Poetry: Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright, Fiona Water |
Year 3
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Narrative: Fictional diary entry |
Poetry : Narrative poem in style of studied poet
|
| Non- fiction: Persuasive leaflet – ‘Visit the UK’ | Non- Fiction: Explanation – The Stone Age |
|
Class Literature: The BFG |
Class Literature : Cloud Busting
|
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Narrative: Persuasive letter from Harmony | Narrative: Fairy tale from different perspective |
|
Non- Fiction: Newspaper Article |
Non Fiction: Non-chronological report about Europe |
|
Class Literature: The Queen’s Nose |
Class Literature: Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Non- fiction: Fictional diary entry in role as Robot | Narrative: Myths & legends |
| Narrative: Biography | Non- fiction: Myths & legends |
|
Class Literature: The Wild Robot |
Class Literature: Odysseus
|
Year 4
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Narrative: Informal Letter |
Narrative: Story build up and problem
|
| Non- fiction: Persuasive letter | Non- Fiction: Story build up and problem |
|
Class Literature: Charlotte’s Web |
Class Literature: Varjak Paw
|
|
Text Some Writer! By Melissa Sweet The Spider’s Web by Enid Blyton Spider life cycle |
Text Mesopotamia Why Should I Learn Karate? The Books That Change Our Lives, a blog by SF Said |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Narrative: Diary | Narrative: Adventure story |
|
Non- Fiction: Non-chronological report on The Amazon |
Non Fiction: Adventure story |
|
Class Literature: The Explorer |
Class Literature: The Explorer |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Non-fiction: Journalistic writing | Narrative: Adventure story |
| Non- fiction: Formal letter | Non- fiction: Big Question discussion |
| Class Literature: Race to the Frozen North
|
Year 5
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Narrative: Setting |
Non- fiction: Fictional diary entry
|
| Narrative: Action and Dialogue | Non- fiction: Nonchronologic al report |
|
Class Literature: Beowulf |
Class Literature: Riddle of the Rune
|
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Narrative: Historical 5-part story | Non Fiction: Biography |
|
|
Non Fiction: Persuasive speech |
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Class Literature: The Girl Who Stole an Elephant |
Class Literature: The Girl Who Stole an Elephant |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Narrative: 5-part narrative | Non Fiction: Journalistic writing |
| Non- fiction: Critical Essay about text’s theme | |
|
Class Literature: The Closest Thing to Flying |
Class Literature: Cogheart
|
Year 6
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Narrative: Description of setting and character |
Poetry: Retelling of poem in narrative form
|
| Non-fiction: Biography and autobiography | Non-fiction: Non chronological report – what is climate and how does it affect the environment? |
|
Class Literature: Clockwork |
Class Literature: The Highwayman
|
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Narrative: Adventure story in historical setting (WWII) | Narrative: Retelling of key scene from play told from both characters’ POVs |
|
Non Fiction: Newspaper report of surviving the |
Non Fiction: Discussion – Who is to blame for Duncan’s murder? |
|
Class Literature: Once |
Class Literature: Macbeth |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Narrative: Short story with flashbacks | Non Fiction: Fictional newspaper report – key event |
| Narrative: Explanation text – how can maps help us to understand the world? | Narrative: Discussion -Should journalists be persecuted? |
|
Class Literature: One Crazy Summer |
Class Literature: The Other Side of Truth
|