English – Writing
Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At Stanhope Primary School, we want our children to communicate effectively through writing. This involves the children writing clearly and accurately whilst applying their knowledge and understanding of a range of text types. Children in school are encouraged to write for a variety of purposes, audiences and contexts within English lessons.
Pupils at Stanhope are exposed to a wide vocabulary not only in English lessons but across our entire curriculum. We want all children to have a solid understanding of grammar and spelling and encourage children to apply their knowledge through all writing activities planned and taught.
Implementation
At Stanhope Primary School, we promote a positive writing environment from EYFS to Year 6. We strive to ensure that pupils throughout their time at Stanhope meet or exceed their age related expectations.
In our English lessons, we carefully select focused texts each half term in order to plan opportunities for a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Children’s writing is celebrated using both classroom and whole school display boards. To engage all pupils in writing, we ensure quality texts are dedicated to each year group across the school. These are updated yearly in order to incorporate new novels from a range of authors and to best support the needs and interests of the current cohort. The quality texts taught always promote an appropriate plot and characters which encourage children when writing independently.
The teaching of grammar and spelling is taught both discretely as well as embedded across the curriculum. Continuous teaching of grammar and spelling ensures that all children develop and utilise their knowledge and understanding when writing. Staff plan and teach using Rising Stars Spelling and coverage of the grammar curriculum is determined by the National Curriculum.
Letter formation is taught in EYFS and continues throughout the school in Read Write Inc sessions as well as handwriting sessions. In whole school assemblies at the end of the month, children’s handwriting and presentation is celebrated with a Handwriter of the Month certificate.
Throughout the academic year, we participate in whole school celebrations including Roald Dahl Day, National Poetry Day, World Book Day and International Writing Day. These celebrations allow pupils to create pieces of writing for a wide range of genres and purposes.
Every pupil within KS1 and KS2 receives daily feedback either verbally or in writing in their books. This allows any misconceptions to be addressed as well as appropriate challenges. In addition, pupils are given opportunities to self-assess or peer assess their writing.
At Stanhope Primary School. staff assess children’s writing every term using year group specific objectives. Objectives within Year 2 and Year 6 reflect the national interim assessments for KS1 and KS2. We have a KS1 and a KS2 moderator for the local authority within school who both moderate writing within school and oversee the termly moderation process.
Impact
At Stanhope Primary School, our pupils develop their communication skills and express themselves during written work. Children are able to write across a range of genres and can adapt their writing for a specific audience. Pupils will make good progress from their own personal starting points within EYFS.
By the end of Year 6, children are prepared for their transition to secondary education. This allows them to further develop their writing skills and complete more challenging tasks. Most importantly at Stanhope, students develop a love for writing and are well equipped for future life.
Writing Curriculum Progression Map
