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Structuring the English curriculum: guidance and approaches (primary)

Find out what to bear in mind when structuring your English curriculum, plus resources to help you along the way. See how 3 primary schools have set out their curriculum plans for reading and writing.

Last reviewed on 1 December 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: Primary•Ref: 9131
Contents
  1. There's no set way to structure your curriculum
  2. Start with pupils' needs 
  3. Consider your current curriculum's strengths
  4. Weave oracy into your English curriculum
  5. Broaden pupils' experience and boost their cultural capital 
  6. Pick the best phonics scheme for your school
  7. How 3 schools structure their English curriculum

There's no set way to structure your curriculum

The DfE doesn't require you to lay out your English curriculum in a specific way, provided you meet your overall curriculum requirements. Ofsted inspectors won't expect a particular format for your English curriculum, either.

Find out more about curriculum requirements for maintained schools, academies and special schools.

Start with pupils' needs 

Think about: 

  • Pupils' current strengths and weaknesses in literacy – find out how to assess reading to help you do this
  • The context of your school and how pupils respond to the areas that your school focuses on
  • Your school’s priorities for the development of literacy 

This will help focus your planning and subsequent provision in English. 

Use our templates and guidance to help you set out your medium and long-term English plans. 

Consider how well your current teaching of text genres and writing styles has helped pupils to become confident