At Nancledra School, English sits at the heart of our curriculum. We believe that strong literacy skills open doors for children—academically, socially, and in their future lives. Our aim is for every child to become a confident, capable reader, writer, speaker, and listener, equipped with the language skills they need to thrive.
English is taught daily as a discrete subject, but it also underpins learning across the whole curriculum. High‑quality texts, rich vocabulary, and meaningful opportunities for communication are woven through every subject. We set high expectations for all pupils and provide expert, explicit teaching to help them develop the skills to:
- read with understanding and insight
- write for a range of purposes and audiences
- speak clearly and confidently
- listen attentively and respond thoughtfully
By building these foundations, we ensure that every child can access the full curriculum and step confidently into the opportunities ahead of them.
Our Approach:Â
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Spelling at Nancledra School
At Nancledra School, we believe that strong spelling skills are essential for confident communication, fluent writing and lifelong learning. We want our pupils to understand not only how words are spelt, but also why words are spelt in particular ways.
To support this, we use the Emile Spelling Scheme, a comprehensive programme that is fully aligned with the National Curriculum and provides a clear, progressive approach to spelling from Year 1 to Year 6.
Our Approach
Spelling is taught explicitly through regular lessons that build pupils' knowledge and understanding over time. Through the Emile scheme, children learn:
- Key spelling rules and patterns
- Common Exception Words
- Statutory word lists for Years 3/4 and Years 5/6
- Strategies for applying spelling knowledge across the curriculum
- The meanings and origins of words
- How word structure can support accurate spelling
As children progress through the school, they are encouraged to explore how words are constructed and connected. This deeper understanding helps them become more confident and independent writers.
A Focus on Morphology
A key feature of the Emile scheme is its focus on morphology: the study of word parts and how they create meaning. Children learn about prefixes, suffixes, root words and word families, helping them to make links between vocabulary, spelling and meaning.
By understanding how words are built, pupils are better equipped to:
- Spell unfamiliar words accurately
- Develop a richer vocabulary
- Recognise patterns in language
- Improve their reading comprehension and writing skills
Engaging and Effective Learning
Lessons are supported by a range of high-quality resources, including:
- Interactive teaching presentations
- Practice activities and worksheets
- Assessment opportunities
- Games and online learning activities
Children are encouraged to apply their spelling knowledge in their everyday writing, helping them to transfer skills from spelling lessons into authentic contexts.
Building Confident Writers
Our aim is for all pupils to leave Nancledra as confident, capable writers who have a strong understanding of spelling patterns, word meanings and vocabulary. Through a carefully sequenced curriculum and consistent teaching approach, we support every child in becoming a successful and enthusiastic learner of language.
