Writing
At Oakmeadow CE Primary School, writing is carefully structured to inspire creativity, secure technical accuracy and develop confident, expressive writers. In Early Years, Drawing Club nurtures imagination through storytelling, illustration and early mark-making. In Year 1, Curious Quests use a high-quality weekly text to spark curiosity and build early writing skills, progressing from simple words and phrases to independent, descriptive sentences.
From Year 2 onwards, pupils study a wide range of high-quality texts, exploring different genres, purposes and audiences. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are taught explicitly and applied through short-burst writing, planning, drafting, editing and publishing. This enables children to produce extended pieces that reflect both creativity and precision.
Reading
Reading is the bedrock of our curriculum and central to securing future life chances. A balanced approach of modelled, independent and whole-class reading ensures all children access high-quality texts. Systematic phonics teaching underpins early reading, building confident decoding and fluency.
As pupils progress, whole-class sessions explicitly teach key skills including vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, retrieval and inference. Targeted support, small-group sessions and pre-reading opportunities help ensure every child succeeds. Alongside this, reading for pleasure is promoted through inviting library spaces, reading sheds, book clubs, reading buddies and author visits, fostering a lifelong love of reading.
Spelling
Spelling is taught progressively through the Spelling Shed scheme from Year 1 onwards. Pupils learn spelling patterns, rules and common exception words in a structured sequence, with regular revisiting and reinforcement. Through direct teaching, investigations and practice, children develop phonological and morphological understanding alongside independent strategies. Weekly homework reinforces learning, and key vocabulary is woven across the curriculum.
Handwriting
Handwriting is taught through the LetterJoin programme, providing a structured approach across the primary phase. Children develop accurate letter formation, orientation and sizing before progressing to fluent, joined handwriting. Consistent modelling and regular practice build confidence, control and stamina, enabling pupils to write neatly and efficiently across the curriculum.
Oracy and Listening
Oracy and listening are explicitly taught and consistently modelled across the school. Structured discussion routines and Teach Like a Champion strategies—such as Turn and Talk, Cold Call and No Opt Out—promote participation, clarity and respectful dialogue. Through this whole-school approach, pupils become confident, articulate speakers and attentive listeners.
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