Writing is a crucial part of our curriculum. We view reading and writing as being linked. Reading is like breathing in and writing like breathing out. With this in mind, all children from Nursery to Year 2 are taught to use the skills they learn in reading to help with their writing. They are given regular opportunities to write both in English lessons and across the curriculum.
Our intention is for pupils to be able to both read as a reader where they focus on the vocabulary, grammar and comprehension but also to read as a writer focusing on the author’s crafting of language and use of literacy devices. Where possible we always try to have an audience and purpose for the writing and these are often linked to topics, year group events or the school’s locality. As children master the early writing skills they are encouraged to edit their work to improve it and create drafts so that the final piece is the best it can be. Presentation is also important and we intend for every child to always do their best and to present their work to the highest possible standard.
To enable our pupils to learn to write in a creative and imaginative way, we use the ‘Talk for Writing’ approach. This approach supports children to become confident writers whoimprovexpress their thoughts and ideas accurately through a range of genres for a variety of different purposes. The English National Curriculum objectives are embedded within our Talk for Writing texts and often linked to the school’s locality.
Teaching Sequence
Our intention is for pupils to be able to both read as a reader where they focus on the vocabulary, grammar and comprehension but also to read as a writer focusing on the author’s crafting of language and use of literacy devices. Where possible we always try to have an audience and purpose for the writing and these are often linked to topics, year group events or the school’s locality. As children master the early writing skills they are encouraged to edit their work to improve it and create drafts so that the final piece is the best it can be. Presentation is also important and we intend for every child to always do their best and to present their work to the highest possible standard.
To enable our pupils to learn to write in a creative and imaginative way, we use the ‘Talk for Writing’ approach. This approach supports children to become confident writers whoimprovexpress their thoughts and ideas accurately through a range of genres for a variety of different purposes. The English National Curriculum objectives are embedded within our Talk for Writing texts and often linked to the school’s locality.
Teaching Sequence
Children follow the Read Write Inc. scheme for reading and writing up from Reception until Year 1 or 2 depending on how fast they progress. The Read Write Inc. Phonics Get Writing! Books contain a range of writing activities links to the texts the children are reading. They include step-by-step guidance to help children learn the foundations of writing and move from writing simple sentences to extended texts such as invitations, letters, descriptive texts and non-fiction texts. The Get Writing! Books also include composition, grammar and spelling activities
Once the children have finished the RWI scheme, they move onto English lessons which follow the TPAT writing curriculum. These are the stages of writing for Year 1 and Year 2 off scheme English lessons.
Ignite and Immerse – Children learn stories and immerse themselves in the plot, acting the story out and getting to grips with the plot and character motives. Pupils read the texts to comprehend what the author has written, to internalise language patterns and phrases and suggest reasons for the choice of language and the techniques used. Children explore the text including the grammatical features that the teachers have included in the text linked to the curriculum objectives being covered. We have a whole school colour coding to help children learn the different grammatical features.
Model and Master – Teachers model how to adapt and change the stories and texts that they have been learning to create their own versions using language techniques and plot structures that they ‘magpie’ from the original. Children are guided to have a go and changing the text themselves and supported in guided writing groups.
Craft and Create – Children work with the support of the teacher modelling how to craft their own sentences to form their own text. They are taught how to proofread and edit to improve and publish their text.
Children are encouraged to apply their writing skills at other times across the curriculum.
Spelling
Spelling practice is directly linked to the learning of the 40+ sounds in the early years and then when children have mastered these and finished the RWI phonic scheme, they move onto RWI spelling lessons.
Handwriting
Handwriting is taught as a specific skill, little and often. Firstly we teach handwriting (letter formation) by linking closely with the Read Write Inc. scheme in daily phonics sessions. In KS1 children are introduced to a simple joined handwriting style following the Nelson Handwriting Scheme.