At Thorncombe St Mary's, we strive to develop confident, articulate communicators who enjoy reading, writing and sharing their ideas. Through high-quality texts and engaging learning experiences, we inspire children to become enthusiastic readers and purposeful writers.

Reading lies at the heart of our curriculum. We foster a love of reading through carefully chosen class texts, inviting reading environments and adults who model a passion for books. In Reception and Key Stage 1, children learn to read through the Read Write Inc. phonics programme, while regular assessment allows us to quickly identify and support children who need additional help.

Writing opportunities are planned across the curriculum, giving children meaningful reasons to write for a range of audiences and purposes. Alongside writing, children develop strong speaking, listening and vocabulary skills through discussion, drama, presentations and collaborative learning. Grammar, punctuation and spelling are taught both within English lessons and through discrete sessions to help children apply these skills confidently in their writing.

One of the ways we celebrate children's progress is through our 'Writing Through the Years' books. These special books travel with each child from Reception to Year 6, creating a wonderful record of their writing journey. Children, families and staff can look back and see how their skills have developed over time - from early mark making and letter formation to writing sentences, paragraphs and increasingly sophisticated pieces using a wide range of grammar, punctuation and vocabulary.

From the Early Years onwards, children develop their handwriting through a progressive approach, beginning with mark making and letter formation before moving on to joined handwriting. Throughout their time at Thorncombe St Mary's, children revisit key learning, receive timely feedback to address misconceptions, and are encouraged to take pride in producing high-quality work.