Salvation (transformative, ‘good news’)

• How does your subject transform pupils and impact upon their lives in a positive way? In what way is your subject ‘good news?’
• Why/how are you ‘Good News’ for your community?
• In what ways is your work transformational?

Our English curriculum empowers children to communicate by learning the skills of reading and writing

Through language and communication children are exposed to opportunities, ideas and a range of perspectives that they may not previously have access to. Language provides a platform for our children to express their emotions, thoughts, and spiritual experiences. Through books, stories and poems children can explore themes of self-discovery, empathy, and a sense of wonder. At Abbey we want to provide children with new and exciting opportunities as we understand that this can spark a talent and a joy in children’s lives that they may not have had opportunity to access otherwise.

The English curriculum transforms lots of our lives – through our vision we want children to ‘shine brightly’, using our talents to be a role model for others. We believe that by teaching children to read, write, speak and communicate well they are able to use their light to be a role model and share their talents with others. Language provides happiness and joy to our lives, we encourage children to use language skills widely, rather than bury them, invest in them, multiply them, and use them to benefit others.

The Trinity (diversity and community)

• How does your curriculum engage with difference and celebrate diversity? Where have you considered representation of all within your curriculum?
• What role does difference and authenticity play?
• Is unity within diversity a core flavour for who you are?

As part of our English curriculum children are introduced to a wide range of books and authors, from different genres, countries and cultures. We also look at and listen to stories from a wide and diverse range of subject matters. Exploring different races and cultures through books, poetry and writing. We provide children with opportunities to look at these and discuss the differences and similarities within the genres and styles. Children are given the tools to understand that we are all different, that we like and enjoy different things and that is ok. Through exposure to books and stories children are encouraged to recognise and celebrate differences, talk about them respectfully with others, and understand that we may not always agree but that does not make our own opinions wrong.

We work closely with the wider community through a different range of different opportunities, including, having visitors into school to provide opportunities for children to participate in community events, such as reading to residents of our local care home. Here at Abbey we feel these opportunities allow children a chance to see, talk to, and build relationships with different people. Understanding that we all have our own unique talents to share, all of us have the chance to share our light to help others as well as having opportunities to learn from the light of others.

Love (issues of justice and equity)

• How does your curriculum engage with issues of love in action e.g. social justice issues?
• What does love look like and what might it mean in your context?
• Is it linked to accountability, equity, justice?

Love is central to everything that we do at Abbey – we understand that we are all made in God’s image. Through this we begin to understand that everyone has a right to the same opportunities in life, as God loves us all equally.

Within English we provide all children we prioritise reading and aim to provide all children with the right support to enable them to become confident in reading. ‘To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark’ – Victor Hugo. The positive power of books, reading and writing should be accessible to all.  Here at Abbey we understand that fair does not always mean equal – to show love for everyone we need to ensure that everyone has what they need to flourish and ‘shine brightly’. Within the English curriculum we do this by ensuring that equipment and technology are used appropriately to include the needs of all learners and that lessons can be adapted for those who require it, to ensure that English content is inclusive.

Love within the English curriculum – we know and understand that books and language have the power to empower and provide joy.