English Curriculum
Ages 4–11 | EYFS, Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2
Our English Curriculum is designed to help home educated children become confident communicators, creative thinkers, independent readers, expressive writers, and capable citizens. The curriculum blends literacy, creativity, life skills, emotional understanding, practical communication, and real-world learning.
Children will:
Learn to read with confidence and enjoyment
Develop strong speaking and listening skills
Write clearly for real-life purposes
Understand the world around them
Build confidence in communication and self-expression
Learn practical English for everyday life
Explore creativity through storytelling, drama, poetry, art, and discussion
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Build emotional intelligence and social understanding
The curriculum is flexible for home education and encourages project-based, child-led, creative, and experiential learning.
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Curriculum Structure
The curriculum is divided into:
1. Early Years Foundation Stage (Ages 4–5)
2. Key Stage 1 (Ages 5–7)
3. Lower Key Stage 2 (Ages 7–9)
4. Upper Key Stage 2 (Ages 9–11)
Each stage includes:
Reading Development
Writing Development
Speaking & Listening
Creative Expression
Real World English
Life Skills Communication
Recommended Activities
Assessment Ideas
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Teaching Philosophy
Children learn best when they:
Feel safe and valued
Learn through play and creativity
Explore topics connected to real life
Have opportunities to move, discuss, create, and experiment
Learn at their own pace
Use imagination and curiosity
See English as useful and enjoyable
The curriculum encourages:
Outdoor learning
Storytelling
Drama and role play
Art integration
Community projects
Discussions and debates
Journaling and reflection
Reading for pleasure
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EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE (Ages 4–5)
Building Communication & Early Literacy
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Core Goals
Children will:
Develop a love of stories and books
Recognise letters and sounds
Begin blending sounds to read simple words
Speak clearly and confidently
Build vocabulary through conversation and play
Learn to express feelings and needs
Understand simple instructions
Begin mark-making and early writing
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Reading Development
Focus Areas
Phonics and sound recognition
Listening to stories
Picture reading
Rhyming words
Recognising familiar signs and labels
Understanding sequencing in stories
Predicting story endings
Easy Reading Styles
Children explore:
Picture books
Rhyming books
Repetitive sentence books
Short illustrated stories
Audio stories
Action songs and nursery rhymes
Suggested Reading Themes
Family
Animals
Nature
Feelings
Friendship
Community helpers
Seasons
Safety
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Writing Development
Focus Areas
Pencil control
Letter formation
Name writing
Drawing and labeling
Simple sentence building
Oral storytelling
Early Writing Styles
Children practice:
Labels
Captions
Thank you cards
Shopping lists
Simple diary pictures
Speech bubbles
Story maps
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Speaking & Listening
Children learn to:
Take turns speaking
Ask questions
Retell stories
Describe objects and experiences
Express feelings respectfully
Listen to instructions
Use polite language
Activities
Puppet storytelling
Circle time discussions
Role play shops and cafés
Show and tell
Singing and rhyme games
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Real World English
Children explore language connected to:
Greetings
Road safety
Shopping
Home routines
Emotions
Healthy eating
Community helpers
Weather
Practical Vocabulary
Please and thank you
Excuse me
Help
Directions
Numbers
Days of the week
Time words
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Creative Expression
Children use:
Drama
Dance
Art storytelling
Music and rhythm
Imaginative play
Nature journals
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Assessment Ideas
Observation
Reading aloud
Story retelling
Drawing and labeling
Oral conversations
Portfolio collection
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KEY STAGE 1 (Ages 5–7)
Becoming Confident Readers & Writers
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Curriculum Goals
Children will:
Read simple books independently
Understand story structure
Write clear sentences
Improve spelling and punctuation
Build speaking confidence
Understand everyday communication
Explore imagination and creativity
Develop social understanding
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Reading Development
Reading Skills
Children learn to:
Decode unfamiliar words
Read fluently
Use expression when reading
Understand characters and settings
Identify main ideas
Answer comprehension questions
Make predictions
Discuss opinions about books
Reading Styles
Children explore:
Fairy tales
Adventure stories
Simple nonfiction
Poems
Comics
Fact books
Instructions
Short plays
Real World Reading
Children practice reading:
Menus
Maps
Signs
Recipes
Timetables
Labels
Posters
Safety instructions
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Writing Development
Writing Skills
Children learn:
Sentence structure
Capital letters and punctuation
Paragraph beginnings
Descriptive vocabulary
Story sequencing
Basic grammar
Writing Styles
Children practice writing:
Stories
Letters
Instructions
Posters
Poems
News reports
Character descriptions
Simple scripts
Fact files
Journals
Everyday Functional Writing
Children create:
Shopping lists
Birthday invitations
Thank you letters
Simple emails
Directions
Safety posters
Classroom rules
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Speaking & Listening
Children develop:
Conversation skills
Storytelling confidence
Listening comprehension
Presentation skills
Respectful discussion
Team communication
Activities
Book discussions
Partner interviews
Drama games
Group storytelling
Debates about simple topics
Community role play
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Real World Understanding
Children learn about:
Personal safety
Friendship and kindness
Local community
Money basics
Healthy lifestyles
Environmental care
Internet safety basics
Respect and diversity
Functional English Skills
Children practice:
Asking for help
Reading directions
Following instructions
Understanding schedules
Expressing opinions politely
Describing problems clearly
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Creative Projects
Create a mini newspaper
Design a storybook
Record an audio story
Create puppet theatre performances
Build imaginative worlds
Make posters about protecting nature
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Assessment Ideas
Reading journals
Short presentations
Writing folders
Role play observation
Simple comprehension activities
Oral questioning
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LOWER KEY STAGE 2 (Ages 7–9)
Developing Independence & Critical Thinking
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Curriculum Goals
Children will:
Read with increasing fluency and understanding
Write for different purposes
Develop independent opinions
Build stronger grammar and vocabulary
Understand communication in everyday life
Explore creativity and imagination deeply
Gain confidence discussing real-world topics
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Reading Development
Reading Skills
Children learn to:
Summarise information
Identify themes
Infer meaning
Compare texts
Use evidence from reading
Research using books and digital sources
Reading Genres
Children explore:
Myths and legends
Historical fiction
Biographies
Poetry
Science articles
Graphic novels
Instructions and manuals
Persuasive texts
Real World Reading
Children read:
News articles
Public information leaflets
Transport timetables
Websites
Product reviews
Community notices
Advertisements
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Writing Development
Writing Skills
Children learn:
Paragraph structure
Expanded vocabulary
Editing and proofreading
Persuasive techniques
Dialogue writing
Report writing
Organising information
Writing Styles
Children create:
Adventure stories
Newspaper reports
Persuasive letters
Reviews
Poetry
Interviews
Diaries
Scripts
Information texts
Speeches
Functional Writing
Children practice:
Filling simple forms
Writing emails
Making plans
Creating budgets
Writing instructions clearly
Writing event invitations
Recording information
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Speaking & Listening
Children develop:
Debate skills
Presentation confidence
Group discussion techniques
Active listening
Interviewing skills
Drama performance
Activities
Podcast creation
Community interviews
Story performances
Debate clubs
Book review discussions
Mock television news reports
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Real World English & Life Skills
Children explore:
Money management basics
Digital communication
Environmental awareness
Cultural understanding
Emotional wellbeing
Problem solving
Teamwork
Responsibility
Everyday Skills
Children practice:
Reading public transport information
Understanding advertisements
Writing polite requests
Explaining ideas clearly
Organising daily schedules
Communicating during disagreements respectfully
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Creative Learning Projects
Create a community magazine
Write and perform a play
Design a business idea
Produce a class podcast
Research inspirational people
Create environmental campaigns
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Assessment Ideas
Independent projects
Reading comprehension tasks
Creative writing portfolios
Oral presentations
Peer feedback
Self-reflection journals
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UPPER KEY STAGE 2 (Ages 9–11)
Preparing for Secondary Education & Everyday Life
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Curriculum Goals
Children will:
Read confidently across a range of texts
Write effectively for different audiences
Communicate clearly and respectfully
Develop analytical thinking
Build independence in learning
Understand real-world communication systems
Strengthen emotional intelligence
Prepare for future education and life skills
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Reading Development
Reading Skills
Children learn to:
Analyse texts critically
Compare viewpoints
Interpret figurative language
Research independently
Evaluate information sources
Distinguish fact from opinion
Reading Genres
Children explore:
Classic literature
Modern fiction
Journalism
Autobiographies
Persuasive writing
Scientific texts
Digital media
Plays and scripts
Functional Reading
Children practice reading:
Instructions manuals
Online safety information
Job role descriptions
Community information
News reports
Official forms
Travel information
Banking and budgeting examples
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Writing Development
Writing Skills
Children develop:
Advanced sentence structures
Editing and revision skills
Formal and informal writing
Persuasive arguments
Research writing
Organised planning
Audience awareness
Writing Styles
Children create:
Essays
Speeches
Articles
Fiction stories
Scripts
Reports
Reviews
Persuasive campaigns
Poetry
Blogs
Functional Writing
Children practice:
Professional emails
Application forms
Budget planning
Event planning
Instruction writing
CV introductions
Complaint letters
Timetables and schedules
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Speaking & Listening
Children develop:
Public speaking
Debate and reasoning
Collaborative communication
Interview skills
Leadership communication
Conflict resolution
Discussion analysis
Activities
Youth debates
Podcast interviews
Drama productions
Mock business pitches
Community presentations
Book clubs
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Real World Understanding & Life Preparation
Children learn about:
Media literacy
Online safety and digital citizenship
Financial literacy basics
Mental wellbeing
Community responsibility
Equality and inclusion
Environmental sustainability
Careers and aspirations
Everyday Functional Skills
Children practice:
Understanding bills and prices
Reading timetables and maps
Writing professional communication
Researching safely online
Managing time effectively
Speaking confidently in public situations
Working collaboratively
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Creative Projects
Produce a short film script
Create a community campaign
Design a magazine
Develop a podcast series
Write a novel chapter
Create an enterprise project
Organise a community event
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Cross-Curricular Integration
English learning is connected with:
Art and design
Drama and performance
Music and rhythm
Science exploration
History storytelling
Geography projects
Cultural studies
Outdoor education
Life skills education
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Inclusive Learning Approaches
The curriculum supports:
Neurodiverse learners
Visual learners
Auditory learners
Kinesthetic learners
Children with additional needs
Flexible pacing
Child-led learning approaches
Support Strategies
Visual schedules
Story maps
Audiobooks
Practical learning
Movement breaks
Sensory storytelling
Multi-sensory phonics
Collaborative learning
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Recommended Weekly Structure
Ages 4–5
Story time
Phonics games
Mark making
Singing and rhyme
Outdoor language activities
Role play
Ages 5–7
Guided reading
Writing practice
Drama activities
Real-world reading
Creative projects
Discussion circles
Ages 7–9
Independent reading
Functional writing
Research tasks
Group discussions
Creative workshops
Community learning
Ages 9–11
Literature study
Debate and speaking
Project-based learning
Life skills communication
Journalism and media
Independent research
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Assessment Philosophy
Assessment should be:
Supportive
Creative
Flexible
Child-centred
Observation based
Portfolio focused
Assessment methods include:
Reading records
Learning journals
Creative portfolios
Oral presentations
Self-assessment
Practical demonstrations
Project outcomes
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Family & Community Engagement
Families are encouraged to:
Read together daily
Visit libraries
Attend community events
Encourage discussion at home
Explore museums and nature
Support journaling and creativity
Celebrate progress and individuality
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Recommended Resources
Reading Resources
Libraries
Audiobooks
Graphic novels
Poetry collections
Educational magazines
Child-friendly newspapers
Creative Resources
Puppets
Art supplies
Story dice
Drama costumes
Journals
Recording devices
Real World Learning Resources
Maps
Menus
Timetables
Forms
Advertisements
Community leaflets
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End of Curriculum Outcomes
By age 11, children should be able to:
Read confidently and independently
Write creatively and functionally
Speak clearly and respectfully
Understand everyday communication systems
Think critically and creatively
Communicate emotions effectively
Participate confidently in society
Use English skills in real-life situations
Continue learning independently
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Estarartistics Academy CIC Educational Values
At Estarartistics Academy CIC we believe every child deserves:
A creative education
A safe learning environment
Respect for individuality
Opportunities for self-expression
Real-world preparation
Emotional support and encouragement
Learning that inspires curiosity and confidence
Our English curriculum nurtures communication, imagination, confidence, literacy, and life readiness for every child.
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END OF CURRICULUM