English - Writing

The Writing Curriculum

Intent

At Netherton CE Primary School we intend for all children to develop as confident, accurate and expressive writers, who are able to reflect upon their work and consider their audience. We ensure all children will have meaningful and rich opportunities across the curriculum to write in different styles. We use quality texts to ensure that our children have high aspirations when writing. We aim to develop strong foundations within the technical aspects of spelling and grammar, so that this never impedes the flow of their imagination. We aim for all our children to develop a comfortable, legible and consistent handwriting style and to have pride when writing. Above all, we have a fundamental desire for our children to be exposed to rich vocabulary of language that enriches their understanding. We aim for our children to be clear, accurate and coherent writers who can adapt their language and style for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences now and in the future.

Implementation

We teach the National Curriculum with skills and knowledge progression built in through curriculum milestones. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced to maximise learning for all children. Planned progressive sequences of learning are linked to quality age related texts that include a wide variety of genres. Children are exposed to new vocabulary which they can apply into their writing. Children are provided with opportunities to write across the curriculum for a range of different purposes and audiences. We teach children to plan, edit and improve their work at an appropriate level for their age and ability. Feedback from marking helps to support the children in understanding the areas for next step development. Grammar and spelling are threaded through the sequences of learning and also supplemented through starters and quality shared writing. Shared writing is an integral aspect of our writing lessons, where high expectations are set, in order for all children to be challenged and highly motivated. It also provides an opportunity to incorporate high levels of vocabulary and to value children’s ideas. We provide children with the freedom of expression through an extended writing lesson, where children can apply the skills that they have been taught and have fun with their writing along the way.

Impact

By the time children leave Netherton CE Primary School, regardless of their background, ability or additional needs, they will have the skills to use a wide vocabulary and have a solid understanding of rules of both spelling and grammar. They will write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences. Children will take pride in the presentation of their writing, demonstrating a good, joined, handwriting style. As good writers, they will refine and edit their writing and write using high levels of vocabulary. Above all, children will be confident writers who have the skills and knowledge to be able to utilise their skills in the wider world.