*In a bit more detail, this means:

 [1] All the areas of English in the National Curriculum – spoken language, reading, writing and GPS - have the potential to richly cross-pollinate and amplify each other but far too often in schools the pressure of testing (for Reading and GPS) and fragmented curriculum design means that they end up being taught discreetly and separately. Our vision is an interwoven, text-centred approach to English.

 [2] Using creative, innovative and varied teaching techniques, we bring English alive to children and communicate our own expertise, enthusiasm and passion for the subject.

 [3] Using critical and popular consensus, we select rich, thought-provoking, layered texts that are accessible, challenging and inspiring to all the children. We ensure that these provide a balanced and diverse 'menu' of authors that reflect multicultural Britain. These progress from picture books to novels as we move through school.

 [4] We recognise that the value of literature comes in our interpretation of its meaning and its ability to influence, guide and challenge our personal philosophies.

 [5] Quality literature isn’t just about following a story or learning facts – it should make us feel something. It should make us laugh, cry, shiver, get angry, gasp in awe and wonder. This is the magic power of language – to move us, emotionally and spiritually. It is about bringing the outside in. It is by feeling this power upon us through listening and reading that we see the potential to harness this power for our own use.

 [6] English is also about letting the inside out – giving voice to your feelings and opinions, your stories and ideas. It is about having first a spoken, then a written voice with which to communicate with an audience that you’ve considered and targeted.

 [7] Children must speak and write with coherence and beauty. They must be clearly understood but, in addition, they should learn to recognise and use the full aesthetic power of language to affect others and achieve their goals.

 [8] These are interlinked – we breathe out what we breathe in. We fuel the fire of quality expression with quality consumption. Immersing the children in these quality texts is how we inspire them to write.

 [9] Learning to understand, use and master the English language is incredibly, essentially useful in day-to-day life but it can also provide us with comfort, wonder, solace, motivation and give us access to the full depths of being human.