English at High Wycombe Church of England Combined School

At High Wycombe C of E, English is central to our curriculum because it underpins learning across every subject and is essential for success in school, work and life. We challenge our pupils to be strong and courageous in developing both their reading and writing skills, striving to become fluent, confident and resilient learners who approach texts and writing with curiosity, creativity and enjoyment. Our intent is for every child to develop a genuine love of reading and writing, beginning with strong foundations in phonics, grammar, punctuation and spelling, and progressing to clear, cohesive and imaginative expression. We aim for our pupils to become independent, thoughtful and reflective readers and writers who can communicate their ideas effectively, take pride in their work, and make meaningful connections between texts, writing and the wider world.

We are inspired by God’s love for us to be strong and courageous, knowing that He is with us as we read, write and learn. We provide a safe and supportive environment where all children can flourish as confident and capable communicators. Our English curriculum is rich, broad and inspiring, designed to develop a lifelong love of literature and the skills to write with purpose and pride. With reading and writing at the heart of learning and life, our vision is to nurture: enthusiasm and enjoyment for books and writing; fluency, accuracy and creativity when reading and composing texts; strong comprehension and composition skills to express and explore meaning; the resilience to edit, improve and take pride in work; and the ability to apply English across the curriculum and in everyday life.