English

Our phonics lead is Miss Wilson. Our writing lead is Mrs Oliver. Our reading lead is Mrs Boothman.

Phonics

Supporting your child at home with phonics

Reading with your child at home is one of the most important things you can do to support their learning. We strongly encourage you to read to your child and with your child every night.

Each week, your child will bring home a reading book that matches the phonics level they are working on in school. Please read this book three times with your child before returning it to school to be changed.

Your child can also access the same phonics book they are reading in class through their Oxford Owl login. This provides an additional opportunity to practise at home and helps children build confidence with their reading in class.

If you would like to purchase a reading support pack to use at home, please contact the school office for more information.

Read Write Inc. at Our School

We use Read Write Inc. to teach reading and writing across our school. It is a complete literacy programme that uses synthetic phonics and fully meets the National Curriculum requirements for literacy and language. The programme ensures children learn to read accurately, fluently and with strong understanding.

Nursery

We begin using Rhyme Town when children are in nursery, with a strong focus on language comprehension. Developing spoken language is vital in the early years, so we embed oral activities throughout the day, particularly during play.

In nursery, we:

Model speaking in full sentences
Encourage children to add their own ideas and repeat sentences back
Use second-tier vocabulary to extend language
(e.g. “Charlie looks sad. In fact, he doesn’t just look sad — he looks upset and tearful.”)

Rhyme Town is a structured programme that develops children’s listening skills, rhythm and awareness of sounds in words. Through songs, rhymes and repetition, Rhyme Town supports early phonological awareness and helps prepare children for the formal phonics teaching they will begin in Reception.

We carefully plan and revisit storybooks throughout the year. Children grow to love these stories as they are linked to role-play and other areas of the nursery environment. Children are encouraged to:

‘Jump in’
‘Join in’
Use ‘phrases to keep forever’

These stories sit alongside a rich range of nursery rhymes, songs and stories that form part of the daily Nursery routine.

From an early stage, children are introduced to a carpet buddy and encouraged to turn and talk, sharing ideas and answers. This prepares them well for the more formal Read Write Inc. sessions in Reception.

Reception

In Reception, children begin formal Read Write Inc. Phonics sessions. They start by learning the first 30 sounds in short, daily lessons that are lively and interactive.

Children:

Learn to recognise and say sounds confidently
Begin reading storybooks and non-fiction books closely matched to their phonic knowledge
Start to write confidently and spell using the sounds they know

Children’s progress is assessed at the end of every half-term, and they are grouped according to the level they are working at. This ensures teaching is precisely matched to each child’s needs and that progress remains rapid.

If we have concerns about a child’s progress, we provide daily 1:1 intervention sessions (10–15 minutes). These are delivered by highly skilled support staff trained specifically in Read Write Inc. interventions.

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

Most children complete the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme by the end of Year 1. Throughout KS1, children:

Continue to read books closely matched to their phonics knowledge
Develop accuracy, fluency and comprehension using the special three reads approach
Read a wide range of storybooks and non-fiction texts

When children complete the Phonics programme, they move on to Read Write Inc. Literacy and Language in Year 2. Reading instruction continues with a strong focus on understanding, vocabulary development and writing skills.

Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6)

In KS2, children follow the Read Write Inc. Literacy and Language programme, which continues through to Year 6 and fully supports the National Curriculum.

This approach:

Develops deep reading comprehension through complete texts from leading authors
Fully prepares children for writing by modelling planning, drafting and revising
Teaches grammar in context, so children can apply it to their own writing
Supports KS1 and KS2 statutory assessments, including grammar and punctuation
Develops confident, articulate speakers who can discuss, debate and present their ideas

We also hold parent information sessions to explain Read Write Inc. and demonstrate how families can support reading at home.

Guided Reading

From Year 2 onwards, we use Ready Steady Comprehension to support whole-class guided reading. Guided reading takes place three times a week, with each half-term focused on a specific theme.

Across the half-term, children read and explore a range of high-quality texts, including:

Fiction
Non-fiction
Poetry

This ensures that children experience different text types and develop a broad understanding of reading.

Guided Reading Session Structure

Each guided reading session follows a clear and consistent structure:

Vocabulary – Key vocabulary is introduced and discussed at the start of the session to support understanding of the text.
Fluency – Children read a short passage aloud to develop fluency, expression and confidence.
Comprehension – Children answer a range of questions based on the text, including prediction, inference, retrieval and evidence-based responses.

We believe these skills are essential in supporting children to become confident, fluent readers who understand and can talk about what they read.

Reading for Pleasure

At Upperby we use Accelerated Reader to help us level our reading books. Children have a range of books in their classrooms and the library to choose from. Children are encouraged to complete a quiz after they have read their book to check their understanding.

Each year group is also provided with a library book box each term. These are used to supplement our reading books in school and often play into children's interests, such as graphic novels and non-fiction texts.

At Upperby we encourage a love of reading through everything we do. We have special events throughout the year to celebrate our love of reading. These include assemblies, author visits, virtual events and, of course, World Book Day. We talk about books in class, share class stories together and encourage children to share and discuss books they have read with each other.

Writing

Message Centre

Bringing Joy, Purpose and Magic to Early Writing

At our school, we believe that all children should experience joy, purpose and magic when they begin to write. That’s why we use The Message Centre—a creative and inspiring approach to writing and mark making that transforms how children see themselves as writers.

Rather than seeing writing as a task, children experience it as messaging—a meaningful, playful and real way to communicate. This small shift makes a huge difference. When messaging becomes part of the classroom, the phrase ‘reluctant writer’ disappears. Children want to message—they love its simplicity, warmth, and sense of purpose.

What is The Message Centre?

The Message Centre is a playful reimagining of writing. Children write real messages to real people—adults, friends, characters, or even themselves. These messages are shared, discovered, hidden and celebrated, turning writing into something magical and irresistible.

Children learn that their marks matter, that their writing has meaning, and that writing is for them.

Why We Use It

The Message Centre is much more than a writing resource. It supports development in key areas:

Writing and Mark Making
Encourages purposeful early writing in a natural, joyful way.
Reading
Children love to discover messages left for them—boosting motivation to read.
Mathematics
Messages can include numbers, patterns, puzzles and shapes, adding playful maths to everyday learning.
Language and Communication
Messaging helps children express themselves, share ideas and develop rich language skills.
Engagement and Confidence
Children are drawn in by the magic of messages. They feel seen, heard and excited to take part.

The Impact We See

Children develop confidence and joy as writers
Writing becomes a meaningful part of continuous provision
Families begin to see writing as something that can ‘go home’
A strong reading and writing culture develops across the classroom
Especially impactful for boys and those less confident in mark making

Drawing Club

Why We Use Drawing Club in Reception

Bringing Stories to Life Through Language, Imagination and Joy

At our school, we believe in nurturing a deep love of stories, creativity and language from the very start of a child’s learning journey. That’s why we use Drawing Club with our children.

Drawing Club is a unique and magical approach to early literacy that combines picture books, traditional tales and animations with drawing, storytelling and rich vocabulary. It invites children into a world full of imagination—where anything can happen—and often does!

What is Drawing Club?

Drawing Club is a highly engaging, story-based approach designed for young children. Each session begins with Time Together as a whole class, where we enjoy a story and introduce new vocabulary. Children are then given the opportunity to respond through drawing, discussion, and imaginative play.

It’s an approach that encourages children to:

Think creatively
Use language in meaningful ways
Develop fine motor skills
Feel confident to express their ideas
Most importantly, have fun with learning!

Why We Use It in Reception

Drawing Club supports many key areas of early development:

Language and Vocabulary Development
Children are introduced to rich, exciting vocabulary in context. They learn to use new words in their own storytelling and play, giving them a head start in communication and understanding.
Love of Stories and Books
By using high-quality picture books and animations, Drawing Club helps to build a strong connection between reading and enjoyment. Children begin to see stories as exciting, magical and worth returning to again and again.
Imagination and Creativity
Drawing Club gives children the freedom to explore ideas, create new characters, and invent their own endings. It celebrates the unique imagination of every child.
Fine Motor Skills and Mark Making
Through drawing and early writing, children develop the physical skills they need for handwriting—while engaging in purposeful, meaningful activities.
Confidence and Joy
Drawing Club helps even the most hesitant child feel successful. Every idea is valued, and every child has a voice in the world of story.

A Flexible, Child-Centred Approach

There is no fixed scheme or script. Drawing Club is led by the teacher but shaped by the children. This means we can adapt sessions to suit the needs, interests and abilities of our class, creating a rich, responsive learning environment.

It allows us, as educators, to bring ourselves and our love of stories into our teaching—helping children to see storytelling as a joyful, shared experience.

The Impact We See

Since introducing Drawing Club, we’ve seen:

Increased engagement in mark making and early writing
Improved use of vocabulary across the curriculum
Greater confidence in speaking and sharing ideas
A stronger sense of community and collaboration in class
A joyful, playful approach to literacy that children love

Curious Quests

An immersive adventure into storytelling, imagination and joyful learning

At our school, we believe in giving children a childhood filled with wonder, creativity and the freedom to imagine. That’s why, in Year 1, we build on the success of Drawing Club by introducing children to The Curious Quests—a magical extension of our story-rich, play-based approach to learning.

The Curious Quests is not a scheme or a set of worksheets. It’s an open-ended, immersive experience that combines story, poetry, adventure, and make-believe—all with the goal of keeping children deeply engaged in their learning and excited to express themselves through language, writing, and play.

What is The Curious Quests?

The Curious Quests is a bridge from Reception into Year 1. It gives children the space to explore ideas, solve problems, invent characters, and live out stories—through drawing, writing, role play, construction, junk modelling, outdoor learning, and more.

Each Quest includes:

Short carpet sessions to spark ideas and introduce vocabulary
Group work that supports collaboration and communication
Exploration through open-ended, continuous provision
Opportunities to apply phonics, SPaG, and storytelling skills

It’s a carefully planned yet flexible learning landscape—where writing is purposeful, meaningful, and full of joy.

Why We Use It

The Curious Quests supports children’s development in many powerful ways:

Keeps the magic of story and language alive
Building on Drawing Club, Quests show children that writing and storytelling are for them.
Fosters independence and confidence
Children are encouraged to take the lead in their learning—making choices, solving problems, and following their curiosity.
Supports high-quality writing
Instead of teaching rigid text types, we focus on helping children write with purpose, imagination, and heart—aligned with the National Curriculum expectations for Year 1.
Develops key skills through play
Whether it’s mark making, sentence writing, or vocabulary building, children learn through doing—within rich, purposeful environments.
Promotes joy, curiosity and engagement
The Curious Quests helps ensure that the excitement of learning doesn’t stop after Reception.

Is The Curious Quests Right for Your Child?

If you want your child to:

Love stories and language
See writing as a joyful and creative experience
Build confidence, curiosity and independence
Continue learning through imaginative play
Be part of a learning environment that celebrates who they are...

The Write Stuff

A clear, practical approach to writing success

At our school, we believe that all pupils deserve to feel confident, supported, and successful in their writing. That’s why we use The Write Stuff by Jane Considine—a structured, step-by-step approach that helps every child become a skilled and purposeful writer.

What is The Write Stuff?

The Write Stuff combines teacher modelling, rich vocabulary, and structured thinking to give children the tools they need to write with fluency, precision and creativity.

At its core, this approach helps pupils to:

Develop sentence confidence – Writing is broken down into manageable, achievable chunks.
Expand vocabulary and ideas – Children are taught how to make their writing engaging and imaginative.
Organise their thinking – Lessons help pupils create clear, cohesive, and well-structured pieces of writing.

Whether your child is just starting out or already a keen writer, The Write Stuff provides a supportive framework to help them move forward with clarity and purpose.

Why We Use It

Clarity and Structure
Children benefit from a consistent approach that shows them how to write, not just what to write.
Focus on Quality
High-quality modelling, examples, and discussion ensure pupils see what good writing looks like—and how to get there.
Builds Confidence Step by Step
Writing is introduced in small, manageable parts, helping children feel proud of their progress at every stage.
A Shared Language for Writing
Pupils and teachers use a common framework and vocabulary to talk about writing, making feedback and reflection more meaningful.

Supporting Teachers and Pupils

The Write Stuff also transforms how writing is taught. It helps teachers:

Deliver focused, well-structured lessons
Adapt lessons to suit all learners and year groups
Track progress clearly and consistently
Encourage creativity within a secure structure

The Impact We See

Since implementing The Write Stuff, we’ve seen:

Greater engagement in writing across all year groups
Stronger sentence construction and vocabulary use
Improved confidence and independence in writing
A clear progression of skills throughout the school

By using The Write Stuff, we ensure that writing at our school is not only purposeful and high-quality—but also enjoyable, empowering, and accessible to all.