Intent

Following Covid, we recognised that our existing English curriculum lacked the rigour needed to address the significant gaps that had emerged from disrupted learning. At the same time, our cohorts were becoming increasingly diverse in ability, language and cultural background. The texts we were using no longer reflected the families we serve or the modern landscape of children’s literature. We wanted an English curriculum grounded in high-quality, contemporary texts that celebrate a range of voices and experiences, fostering a genuine love of reading and writing. Through the Literacy Tree approach, we aimed to secure an ambitious, coherent sequence of learning that fully meets, and often exceeds, National Curriculum expectations.

Implementation

To achieve this, we adopted the Literacy Tree’s book-based planning as the spine of our English curriculum across the school. Staff engaged in a comprehensive programme of CPD delivered through whole-school INSETs, teacher meetings and bespoke support from the Literacy Tree team. Alongside this, teachers benefited from one-to-one team teaching, co-planning sessions and guidance in assessing children's work and providing high-quality feedback. This ongoing professional development has enriched our team, strengthening subject knowledge and confidence in delivering a text-driven approach.

Impact

The introduction of the Literacy Tree has led to noticeable improvements in pupils’ engagement, confidence and pride in their writing. Children talk enthusiastically about the books they study. The diversity and relevance of texts have strengthened representation across the curriculum, helping pupils see themselves and others reflected in literature. Our progression of skills is much improved, with more ambitious application of grammar and vocabulary and more purposeful short-burst writing. Overall, the curriculum is now more rigorous, inclusive and inspiring, supporting high aspirations for every learner at Branfil.

Testimonial

After the pandemic, we were left uncertain about the best way forward to help our children thrive as writers, readers, and creative thinkers. What we did know was that we wanted a challenging, progressive writing curriculum with a genuine love of reading at its heart. Literacy Tree was exactly that, and more. It has enriched our curriculum beyond measure. Our children are inspired by the diverse range of texts that cover every theme, genre, and topic. The curriculum is expertly crafted, creating meaningful cross-curricular links with foundation subjects, while also opening windows into parts of history and culture often absent from the national curriculum. The robust scheme of work provides an excellent foundation for teachers to build upon. We value the flexibility it offers, allowing us to adapt and enhance plans so our children experience truly memorable literacy moments that stay with them for years to come. Our teachers have greatly benefited from the support of Literacy Tree consultants, who have guided planning, teaching, and our means of delivering effective feedback to children. This partnership has meant that we have not just invested in a scheme; we have invested in our teachers. The bespoke support we have experienced has thoroughly met our school’s specific needs, and we are genuinely excited about the next stage of our journey as a Literacy Tree flagship school. - Louise Ansell, English Subject Leader