English

Rooted in who we are, ready for who we’ll become – as readers, writers and speakers

At Tollgate, English is the heartbeat of our curriculum. It is through language that our children make sense of the world, discover who they are, and learn to communicate ideas that matter. We believe that every child can become an effective, confident and joyful communicator - someone who reads widely, writes with purpose, and speaks so that their thinking can be heard, understood and valued.

English at Tollgate is driven by the same ambition that shapes our wider curriculum: we want our pupils to experience learning that excites, challenges and empowers them. Our children come to Tollgate with many different starting points, but our expectation is the same for all - every child can thrive, every child can find their voice, and every child can rise above the ordinary.

A curriculum powered by rich, diverse and meaningful texts

At the centre of our English curriculum sits a carefully curated collection of high‑quality texts. These include:

Timeless classics that give pupils shared cultural literacy
Modern literature that reflects the world they are growing up in
Poetry that provokes emotion, imagination and precision with language
Texts from influential and lesser‑known voices, so children encounter a wide range of perspectives, identities, histories and creative styles

Our reading spine is deliberately designed to broaden horizons. Children meet authors from Britain and beyond; they encounter stories that challenge assumptions, characters who inspire empathy, and writing styles that spark creativity. These texts are the foundation for writing, discussion and drama, ensuring that every literacy experience has depth, purpose and meaning.

Developing articulate, thoughtful communicators

Across Tollgate, oracy is a curriculum driver, shaping how children learn, problem‑solve and collaborate. We explicitly teach pupils to:

listen with sensitivity
speak with confidence
structure and express their thinking
adapt their communication for different audiences

We want children to use language not only to answer questions - but to ask them; not only to take part - but to lead; not only to learn - but to think.

Our commitment to oracy means classrooms are filled with purposeful talk: debates, performances, shared reading, storytelling, presentations and structured discussion. These experiences build self-belief, cultural capital and lifelong communication skills.

Reading for knowledge, for pleasure and for life

Reading is the golden thread that runs through the Tollgate Curriculum. We nurture fluent, engaged readers who:

understand that reading unlocks knowledge in every subject
read widely for pleasure, curiosity and enjoyment
develop strong comprehension through talk, drama, questioning and vocabulary study
see themselves as readers - and see the world beyond themselves through reading

We aim for all pupils to build a personal reading identity, recognising the power of literature to comfort, challenge, entertain and inspire.

Writing with purpose, passion and influence

Our writing curriculum gives children the freedom to experiment with ideas, structure and voice. Through exposure to high‑quality models, rich vocabulary and meaningful contexts, pupils learn to craft writing that is:

clear
engaging
imaginative
authentic

We teach the skills, knowledge and stamina required to write effectively - but we also nurture the writer within each child. Pupils learn to shape their own style, draw inspiration from authors and peers, and understand that writing is a tool for expression, persuasion, creativity and change.

Whether crafting a speech for a real audience, composing poetry, responding to a text or writing for pleasure, children learn that their words have power.

A curriculum where every child succeeds

In English, as across Tollgate, every child is included, every child is known, and every child can experience success. This means:

well‑sequenced knowledge and skills
adaptive teaching that supports and challenges
opportunities to revisit and apply learning
scaffolds that empower, not limit
high expectations for all learners

We recognise that communication is central to belonging, wellbeing and academic success. English is therefore both a subject and a gateway.

Preparing children for a changing world

Children will step into a future where communication - written, spoken and digital - matters more than ever. Through English, we prepare them to:

think critically
express themselves with clarity and confidence
understand and evaluate information
empathise with others
use language responsibly and creatively

Our curriculum honours our national story - its creativity, diversity and democratic values - while equipping children to become the storytellers, speakers, innovators and readers of tomorrow.