Creating a Love for Literacy at Shaftesbury Park

At our school, we believe that literacy is more than just reading and writing—it’s about giving children the tools to think about their world, enlarge their world, and change their world. That’s why we build our approach on the foundations of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the UK National Curriculum while staying true to our vision. We also support the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ensuring every child has the right to express themselves and access a high-quality education.

Reading: Building a Lifelong Love of Books

We want every child to find joy in reading. That’s why we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds phonics scheme to give our youngest learners a solid start. On top of that, we’ve introduced the CLPE Power of Reading programme to make sure each child experiences high-quality fiction, non-fiction, and poetry every term.

Reading for pleasure is at the heart of what we do. Here’s how we make it exciting:

• Termly book fairs – because who doesn’t love a new book?

• Trips to the local library – helping children discover even more great reads

• Mini-libraries in every classroom – so a book is always within reach

• A dedicated school library – a cozy space at the top of the school

• Special events like National Poetry Day and World Book Day – where books and creativity collide

• Book Week in the summer term – a full week of reading adventures!

Writing: Making Every Child a Confident Writer

Writing should be meaningful, exciting, and something to be proud of. We connect our writing lessons to class topics and the Power of Reading books, so children see a purpose in their work. Our writing process follows a clear cycle:

1. See what a good one looks like – exploring top-notch examples and linking it to our spelling, punctuation and grammar focus area

2. Plan ideas – getting thoughts down before jumping in

3. Draft – bringing ideas to life

4. 1:1 feedback with teachers – making improvements together

5. Publish and celebrate – because hard work deserves recognition!

We love showcasing our students’ writing throughout the school and in classrooms. Plus, we get the whole school community involved with our termly writing events:

• Winter Stories – cozy up with some fantastic fiction

• Spring Poems – poetry that captures the season

• Summer Recipes – food, fun, and fantastic writing!

We’ve also had some brilliant collaborations with other schools to share our writing talent even further.

Oracy: Finding Our Voices

Being a good communicator is just as important as being a strong reader and writer. We make sure our students get plenty of chances to speak, present, and perform. Whether it’s:

• Reading aloud

• Performing poetry and plays

• Engaging in drama activities

• Taking part in debates

...we’re helping them find their voice and speak with confidence.

At Shaftesbury Park, literacy is about more than lessons—it’s about inspiring curiosity, creativity, and confidence. We want every child to think, enlarge, and change their world, and it all starts with a love for words.