Blackpool Skills Academy

English Foundation Curriculum

A 39-week spiral curriculum providing targeted literacy, phonics, reading and writing support.

Phonics Reading Vocabulary Writing Functional Literacy

Additional English support

Building secure foundations through phonics

Some students arrive at the academy with gaps in the foundational literacy skills needed to read confidently and access the wider curriculum.

Where appropriate, students receive structured phonics and decoding support alongside vocabulary, comprehension, writing and communication teaching.

Watch the video to understand how phonics helps students recognise sounds, decode unfamiliar words and become increasingly fluent readers.

01

Our curriculum model

Targeted support from each student’s starting point

Closing significant literacy gaps

This curriculum is designed for students who are not yet able to access the main English curriculum effectively because of significant gaps in literacy.

Students progress through stages based on assessment, rather than their age or year group.

Phonics
Decoding Accuracy
Reading Fluency
Vocabulary Knowledge
Reading Comprehension
Writing Accuracy
Independence

Progression is achieved by developing increasingly secure decoding, fluent reading, deeper comprehension, accurate writing and greater independence.

02

The learning journey

Progression Through Stages

A

Stage A

Decode

Recognise letter sounds, blend words and read simple sentences with support.

Supported reading
B

Stage B

Read Fluently

Read sentences and increasingly familiar texts with growing accuracy.

Guided reading
C

Stage C

Understand

Read short texts independently and retrieve, summarise and explain information.

Independent reading
D

Stage D

Apply

Read extended texts, infer meaning and produce increasingly developed writing.

Analytical reading
E

Stage E

Communicate Independently

Use functional literacy confidently across learning, life and employment contexts.

Confident communication
03

The 39-week programme

Curriculum Overview

Autumn 1

Reading Foundations

Weeks 1–6
Week Topic Stage A Stage B Stage C Stage D Stage E
1 Baseline Assessment Initial assessment Initial assessment Initial assessment Initial assessment Initial assessment
2 Letter Sounds and Patterns Recognise sounds Blend sounds Read words Read sentences Read independently
3 Decoding Words Sound out words Blend words Read unfamiliar words Read accurately Read fluently
4 High-Frequency Words Recognise words Read words Use words Apply words Independent reading
5 Reading Simple Sentences Read phrases Read sentences Read paragraphs Read short texts Read confidently
6 Reading Fluency Supported reading Guided reading Improve fluency Read smoothly Read confidently

Autumn 2

Building Reading Confidence

Weeks 7–13
Week Topic Stage A Stage B Stage C Stage D Stage E
7 Everyday Vocabulary Recognise words Explain meanings Use vocabulary Apply vocabulary Extend vocabulary
8 Reading for Meaning Identify information Find answers Summarise Infer meaning Evaluate meaning
9 Instructions Follow instructions Explain instructions Apply instructions Interpret instructions Create instructions
10 Signs and Symbols Recognise signs Explain signs Apply understanding Interpret information Evaluate purpose
11 Everyday Texts Read notices Read forms Read timetables Read information texts Compare texts
12 Retrieval Skills Locate information Select information Summarise information Interpret information Evaluate information
13 Reading Assessment and Progress Review Assessment of reading, decoding, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension progress.

Spring 1

Vocabulary and Comprehension

Weeks 14–19
Week Topic Stage A Stage B Stage C Stage D Stage E
14 Vocabulary Development Learn new words Explain meanings Use vocabulary Apply vocabulary Extend vocabulary
15 Word Meaning in Context Identify meaning Explain meaning Use context clues Infer meaning Evaluate meaning
16 Sentence Meaning Understand sentences Explain meaning Summarise ideas Infer meaning Evaluate ideas
17 Paragraph Meaning Read paragraphs Explain information Summarise information Analyse meaning Evaluate information
18 Making Inferences Identify clues Explain clues Make simple inferences Justify inferences Evaluate evidence
19 Comparing Information Identify similarities Describe similarities Compare information Analyse information Evaluate viewpoints

Spring 2

Writing Foundations

Weeks 20–26
Week Topic Stage A Stage B Stage C Stage D Stage E
20 Sentence Construction Build sentences Write sentences Improve sentences Vary sentences Control sentence structure
21 Capital Letters and Full Stops Use capital letters Use punctuation Apply punctuation Edit punctuation Accurate writing
22 Grammar and Sentence Accuracy Identify errors Correct errors Improve grammar Edit writing Control grammar
23 Paragraph Writing Write sentences Build paragraphs Organise ideas Develop paragraphs Extended writing
24 Writing to Inform Simple information Structured information Detailed information Organised writing Purposeful communication
25 Writing to Explain Explain simply Explain clearly Explain processes Develop explanations Technical explanations
26 Writing Assessment and Progress Review Assessment of sentence construction, punctuation, grammar, organisation and writing accuracy.

Summer 1

Functional Literacy

Weeks 27–32
Week Topic Stage A Stage B Stage C Stage D Stage E
27 Reading Workplace Information Recognise information Read information Understand information Interpret information Apply information
28 Forms and Applications Complete sections Complete forms Provide information Explain information Independent completion
29 Notes, Messages and Emails Write notes Write messages Write emails Adapt communication Professional communication
30 Reading for Safety Recognise warnings Explain warnings Follow instructions Interpret procedures Evaluate risks
31 CV Vocabulary Recognise terms Explain terms Use terms Apply terminology Professional communication
32 Interview Communication Respond to questions Explain answers Expand answers Justify answers Professional communication

Summer 2

Independence and Transition

Weeks 33–39
Week Topic Stage A Stage B Stage C Stage D Stage E
33 Extended Reading Read short texts Read longer texts Summarise texts Analyse texts Evaluate texts
34 Extended Writing Write paragraphs Organise writing Develop writing Improve writing Independent writing
35 Discussion Skills Listen and respond Explain ideas Participate in discussion Justify viewpoints Lead discussion
36 Independent Literacy Project Supported project Guided project Independent project Extended project Leadership project
37 Preparation for the Main Curriculum Apply reading skills Apply writing skills Apply literacy skills Independent learning Curriculum readiness
38 Transition Assessment Literacy assessment Literacy assessment Literacy assessment Literacy assessment Literacy assessment
39 Final Assessment and Transition Planning Final assessment, progress review and planning for the next stage of English learning.
04

What successful progress looks like

Exit Expectations

A

Stage A

  • Secure basic decoding
  • Read simple words and sentences
  • Write simple sentences
B

Stage B

  • Read fluently
  • Understand straightforward texts
  • Write accurate sentences and short paragraphs
C

Stage C

  • Read independently
  • Retrieve and summarise information
  • Write organised paragraphs
D

Stage D

  • Read increasingly complex texts
  • Infer meaning
  • Produce extended writing
E

Stage E

  • Access the main English curriculum successfully
  • Read, write and communicate independently
  • Demonstrate readiness for Functional Skills and Stage 1 English learning

The purpose of the programme

Curriculum Intent

The English Foundation Curriculum provides targeted support for students with significant literacy gaps.

Through a structured spiral curriculum, students develop the phonics, decoding, reading, writing, speaking and vocabulary skills required to access the wider curriculum.

Students revisit essential literacy knowledge regularly, while the level of text, accuracy, independence and communication expected increases over time.

The programme ensures that students can make accelerated progress towards confident literacy, successful learning, Functional Skills, the main English curriculum and future employability.