Intent

Writing is a crucial part of our curriculum at St Joseph’s. By the end of Year Six we intend our children to have developed a love of writing and to be able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and creatively through the written word. We also intend to create writers who can re-read, edit and improve their own writing, and enable pupils to be able to confidently use the essential skills of grammar, punctuation and spelling. At St Joseph’s, we set high expectations for all our children to take pride in their work and have a fluent, cursive handwriting style alongside allowing their imaginations to flourish.  

Implementation

Writing

Our English curriculum is built around high-quality, age-appropriate stimuli, including texts, media clips and images. These inspire and engage children in lessons, creating meaningful opportunities to develop their writing skills. We aim to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of grammar and punctuation so they can apply a wide range of skills across the curriculum. Children explore the structure and features of different genres, identifying their purpose and audience before planning, writing, editing and improving their work.

Writing is taught through three-week units, each focusing on a particular genre. Throughout each unit, children are explicitly taught the formal structures of English appropriate to their year group, alongside the grammar, punctuation and spelling skills needed to write effectively within the chosen genre. At the end of the first two weeks, children complete a Hot Write, producing an independent piece of writing that allows them to apply the grammar and punctuation skills they have learnt. These pieces provide class teachers with valuable opportunities to assess children’s independent application of taught skills and identify next steps in their learning.

Editing is an integral part of the writing process at St Joseph’s. Editing starters are used at the beginning of English lessons to teach, model and develop children’s editing skills. Children complete these activities independently, with a partner or in small groups, providing opportunities to discuss, evaluate and improve written work. Children use red editing pens during lessons to make corrections and improve their writing, developing their ability to identify and address errors independently. Teachers use green highlighters to identify and celebrate the skills children have successfully applied in their work, while pink highlighters indicate areas for improvement and provide clear guidance on next steps. This approach supports children in becoming reflective, independent writers who understand how to evaluate and improve the quality and effectiveness of their writing.

Spelling

Spellings are taught in accordance with the rules and word lists outlined in Appendix 1 of the English National Curriculum. Children participate in three 15-minute spelling lessons each week, during which they are introduced to a specific spelling rule or pattern, practise applying it, and develop their understanding through a range of activities. Children are also given spellings to learn at home each week and complete a spelling test the following week to assess their understanding and progress.

In Reception and KS1, daily phonics is the key to the children’s learning of spelling through Read, Write, Inc. From Year 2 and into KS2 the children move towards using their phonic knowledge to help them to understand spelling rules and patterns.

When marking children’s work, teachers use agreed marking codes to identify spelling errors that are within each child’s known ability. Children are then expected to use a red pen to correct these errors as part of their English lesson. This approach encourages children to take responsibility for their learning, develop their spelling accuracy and apply their knowledge of spelling rules and patterns more consistently in their independent writing.

 

Handwriting

In EYFS, children are taught letter formation and early writing skills through the Read Write Inc. phonics and writing programme.

At St Joseph’s, all classes across the school follow the Read Write Inc. Handwriting scheme to ensure a consistent approach to handwriting teaching and progression. Handwriting is taught daily at the beginning of each English lesson, focusing on correct letter formation and joining techniques. As children progress through the school, there is an increasing emphasis on fluency, consistency and speed. In KS1, rainbow pencils and, in KS2, pen licences are awarded when the Headteacher is satisfied that children demonstrate consistently good handwriting in line with year-group expectations.

Impact

Pupils will make good progress from their own personal starting points. By the end of Year Six they will be able to write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences. Our pupils will acquire a wide vocabulary and have a strong command of the written word. Most importantly, they will develop a love of writing and be well equipped for the rest of their education.