Works in the UK and the US. This version uses UK school terms (Reception, Year 4, secondary school); the US version uses kindergarten, Grade 3 and high school. · US version of this page
Reading, writing, speaking and listening – English from first letter sounds in Reception to university essays, for learners at school, at home and in adult life.
This department is planned and ready to build – it needs funding
We have planned what the English Department will teach and how it will work. Building it takes funding, so for now you can read our plan below and use the Classfern pages for English that are already live.
Practice tests you can use today
Mr Shakespeare's full department needs funding before we can build it – but phonics, reading, spelling and SPaG practice is live today at no cost. Pupils simply choose a test: there is no log-in, marking is instant and a short explanation follows every question. Nothing personal is gathered and the tests carry no advertising. When the English lessons go up, the tests will send learners to the right one.
- Phonics screening check practice, Year 1Real and alien words, plus which-sound practice.
- Reading comprehension, Years 1–9Three practice passages for every year group.
- KS2 SATs-style reading papers, Year 6Six full-length practice papers.
- SPaG practice, Years 2–6Grammar, punctuation and vocabulary.
- Spelling tests, KS1 and KS2National curriculum word lists, listen and spell.
- Everyday English for adultsSpelling, apostrophes, emails, letters and workplace reading.
- Functional Skills-style EnglishEntry Level 1 to Level 2.
- Verbal reasoningWord pairs, synonyms, hidden words and letter codes.
- US adult reading and writingAmerican spelling and everyday texts.
A motto that laughs at itself
Polonius delivers his famous line in the middle of a rambling speech, and that is the joke. We liked it for exactly that reason. The English Department wants learners to say things clearly and well – and to enjoy spotting when someone doesn't.
Reading first
Reading sits at the centre of our plan. For Reception and Year 1, that means phonics with every sound spoken aloud, blending games and decodable sentences. Older children will get short texts with questions on meaning, vocabulary and inference, growing from Year 3 stories to GCSE-level essays, poems and speeches. The reading, spelling, phonics and grammar practice tests already live on Classfern will be gathered here.
Poetry out loud
We also plan a small poetry corner: out-of-copyright poems with a read-aloud voice, a rhythm tapper that shows the beat of each line, and gentle prompts for learners to try verse of their own.
Writing with a coach at your shoulder
Writing is harder to mark, and we won't pretend otherwise. We plan sentence-building games and punctuation drills that are Marked by Classfern, plus longer pieces with a checklist the learner works through (Self-assessed) and a rubric for an adult to use (Judged by a teacher or parent (rubric)). A word counter, a “show me my longest sentence” button and read-aloud will help writers hear their own work.
Words, words, words
That is Hamlet's own reply when Polonius asks what he is reading. Vocabulary will get its own corner: word roots, spelling patterns, synonyms and confusing pairs such as affect and effect. Our existing word games – word searches, hangman, the syllable counter and word ladders – will link in for quick practice.
For university students and adults
The plan does not stop at school. Essay structure, referencing, summarising a source and writing a clear email are skills plenty of grown-ups still want help with. Lessons for people learning English as a new language will be planned hand in hand with our Languages Department.
What Mr Shakespeare would say
Shakespeare is credited with hundreds of words and phrases that are the earliest recorded uses we know of. Our Mr Shakespeare will be generous with praise, merciless about apostrophes and fond of the odd Elizabethan insult for learners to decode – all perfectly clean, we promise.
Reading music, reading words
Our flagship Music Department already teaches reading of a different kind: its Learn to Read and Write Music course takes learners from their first note on the stave all the way to composing their own tunes. It is the best preview we can offer of the patient, encouraging English lessons we have in mind.
Help us write the next chapter
The English Department has a finished plan and needs funding to begin. Teachers, librarians and writers with ideas are very welcome to get in touch.
Already on Classfern for English
Support the Classfern appeal
Every Classfern department is ready on paper, but each one needs funding before we can build it. A gift of any amount helps build Classfern – including new departments like this one – and keeps the free tools free for teachers, families and learners.
Support the Classfern appeal →
Classfern is a small business, not a charity. The support page explains how gifts are used.
Can you help? Teachers and subject experts – tell us
If you teach English or know it well, we would love your ideas, examples and corrections for this department.
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