English Curriculum at Brooke School

At Brooke School, we believe that a strong foundation in English is key to unlocking a learner’s potential across all subjects. English is not only about mastering reading and writing skills, but also about empowering our learners to communicate effectively, think creatively, and engage critically with the world around them. Through the study of English, our learners gain the tools to express themselves clearly, engage with others, and appreciate a wide variety of literary forms. We aim to nurture a love of language and storytelling that goes beyond the classroom, encouraging learners to explore new perspectives, cultures and ideas. From discussing characters in a story to crafting their own imaginative narratives, we want our learners to be confident, articulate and creative communicators.

English Across Our Three Pathways

At Brooke, learners follow one of three Curriculum Pathways—Explorers, Discoverers, and Investigators—each tailored to their individual strengths, needs, and interests.

• Explorers Pathway: In the Explorers pathway, English focusses on developing early communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal. Learners engage with stories, songs, and sensory activities to foster a connection with language. We focus on building a foundation of understanding through interactive activities, early mark-making, and encouraging active engagement in listening and participating in shared reading experiences. Speaking, listening, and participation are at the heart of English learning in this pathway.
• Discoverers Pathway: The Discoverers pathway builds on early communication by promoting literacy through storytelling, structured reading, and writing tasks. Learners are supported in developing their communication and comprehension skills with activities tailored to their individual abilities. English lessons are adapted to include practical, visual, and hands-on learning experiences. This pathway focuses on fostering independence in reading and writing, while still providing tailored support for individual learning needs.
• Investigators Pathway: For learners following the Investigators pathway, English lessons are designed to deepen critical thinking, comprehension, and writing skills. Learners engage with a wider variety of texts, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, and are encouraged to express their ideas through structured writing tasks. Investigators are supported in developing their own voice, engaging in meaningful discussions, and using English to explore new concepts and ideas across the curriculum.

Our PICC-A Text English Approach

Across all pathways, we follow the PICC-A text English approach—Predict, Interrogate, Capture, Create. This structured approach helps learners engage deeply with texts by:

• Predicting what might happen in a story or text, encouraging curiosity, developing questioning and activating prior knowledge.
• Interrogating the text by asking questions, searching for clues, identifying genre-specific features, and making connections to enhance comprehension. During this stage, learners develop their analytical, inference and deducing skills.
• Capturing key information or ideas from the text through word-hoarding or discussion, supporting retention and understanding. Learners may also engage with WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like) texts and participate in teacher-led modelling.
• Creating new content - whether through writing, art, or performance - inspired by the text to solidify learning and encourage creative expression. Learners will create their final outcome linked to the focus text.

This approach provides learners with a clear framework for engaging with both fiction and non-fiction texts, fostering a deeper connection to the material and promoting critical thinking skills.

English in Day-to-Day School Life

At Brooke School, English is embedded in all aspects of our curriculum, with activities tailored to the diverse needs of learners across the three pathways – Explorers, Discoverers and Investigators. Learners engage in a variety of activities designed to strengthen their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. These activities include whole-class discussions, group work, and individual writing tasks. We encourage active participation and critical thinking, as learners respond to questions, share ideas, and develop their own opinions.

Supporting Learners' Progress

We also encourage families to play an active role in supporting their learner's English development at home. Writing activities, reading together, and encouraging creative expression are just a few ways to help build a strong foundation in English.

For more information on our English curriculum and how to support your learner at home, please contact your learner’s class teacher.