Our Intent

• Our approach to teaching Writing is grounded in the three elements of our school vision: relationships, an innovative approach to teaching and having the highest expectations.
• Our aim is to inspire and challenge our children, through a safe and happy learning environment, to achieve excellent standards in writing, including all aspects of the National Curriculum objectives for writing.
• Our innovative approach to teaching writing is aimed at ensuring that all children, regardless of background, need or circumstance, are inspired, engaged and develop a love of writing.
• We do this by through using a clear teaching sequence, which builds on children’s prior knowledge and skills, and makes meaningful connections in their writing. This is to ensure that all children, particularly those who are disadvantaged and have gaps due to COVID-19, are able to access the learning and have opportunities to write frequently, with purpose.
• To equip our children with knowledge and skills they need in order to write in a range of styles and genres
• To inspire a love for writing so that children have a sense of pride when publishing their work
• To enable our children to articulate their learning confidently and to remember knowledge and vocabulary
• To provide a consistent whole school approach to teaching spellings
• To prepare and inspire our children for further learning in writing in secondary school and beyond
• To ensure that staff are confident in their subject knowledge and the sequence of the curriculum

Our Implementation 

• In EYFS writing is taught through discrete phonics teaching and a play-based curriculum. Opportunities for mark marking are provided in all areas of provision with adults regularly encouraging and modelling the purpose of writing. Physical development is a high priority both indoors and outdoors. Children in Reception are provided with writing opportunities in each area of the classroom.
•  High quality core texts, with a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, are chosen to inspire high quality published writing.
• The 3c’s approach is followed – Collect, connect and create from Year 1 – Year 6.
• Over two weeks, children identify key features of a WAGOLL (what a good one looks like) identify and collect key vocabulary, learn grammatical skills and then plan, draft, edit and publish high quality writing.
• Writing is a golden thread which runs throughout all of our Learning Cycles
• Keep Up Not Catch Up – progress sweeps ensure that teachers are clear on who is making progress and allows for immediate feedback. Corrective teaching and 5 minute boxes are used to ensure that all children have equal opportunities to meet at least ARE.
• Children who are targeted to reach Greater Depth are supported through immediate and ongoing feedback throughout writing lessons. Where appropriate, corrective teaching or 5 minute boxes may be used to provide additional opportunities to use greater depth features in their writing.
• The writing curriculum is ambitious for children with SEND and those who are disadvantaged. Teachers and support staff provide additional adult support, scaffolds and resources to ensure that children can access the task set. In addition, 5 minute boxes and corrective teaching are used to ensure progress is made.
• Our opportunities pledge means that children are provided with a wide range of experiences, which will have a positive impact on their understanding of the wider world and imagination.
• There is a priority on CPD for teachers, including PDMs, subject leader networks and Trust moderation.

Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation

SPaG is taught daily and links with the genre which the children are currently learning. The children understand the elements taught in greater detail rather than if it was taught stand alone. Teachers plan for the SPaG coverage using the National Curriculum. Spellings are taught through the No Nonsense spelling scheme which has a clear progression of teaching units from Years 2-6. The children are taught a range of spelling strategies throughout the year which they can apply and build on as they progress throughout the school.

Our Impact 

• Children are passionate about writing
• Pupils can access and follow an ambitious writing curriculum that has our vision for exceptionally high expectations as a driver
• Standards in books are very strong
• End of key stage data is in line with or above national
• Regular monitoring is undertaken by the English Subject Lead (Becky Humphreys)