Westbrook Lane Primary School

At Westbrook Lane, our English curriculum is built around three core strands: Oracy, Reading and Writing. These strands work together to help our children become confident communicators, enthusiastic readers and capable, expressive writers. Our approach is guided by the school’s curriculum framework.

Below is an overview of what each strand means for our learners.

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Oracy

Oracy is at the heart of learning at Westbrook Lane. We recognise that the ability to speak clearly, listen carefully and communicate confidently underpins success across the curriculum and beyond school. Oracy involves both learning to talk and learning through talk, helping children develop the language skills they need to explore ideas, collaborate with others and express themselves effectively. 

Through structured discussion, presentations, questioning and a rich variety of classroom talk opportunities, we support children in developing their vocabulary, reasoning skills and confidence as speakers.

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Reading

Reading is a high priority from the moment children join us. We aim to nurture a lifelong love of reading by immersing pupils in a wide range of high‑quality texts and providing daily opportunities to enjoy, explore and discuss books. We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds programme to ensure early readers develop secure phonics knowledge and the ability to decode confidently. 

Across school, children build fluency and comprehension skills through shared, guided and independent reading. We encourage regular reading at home and celebrate reading through special events, helping every child grow into a motivated and enthusiastic reader.

Find more information regarding our reading curriculum by clicking here.

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Writing

Our writing curriculum develops children as clear, expressive and purposeful writers. Writing at Westbrook Lane includes both the technical skills of spelling and handwriting, and the creative and organisational skills needed to craft meaningful written work. Our approach reflects best practice in primary writing, where children learn to plan, compose, revise and refine their writing across a range of genres.

Through our Westbrook writing journey, we use high‑quality texts and rich experiences to inspire writing, and we support children to develop strong grammar, vocabulary and editing skills. Writing opportunities are woven throughout the wider curriculum so that pupils can use their skills with confidence in many contexts.

Find more information regarding our writing curriculum by clicking here.