“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” Anton Chekhov 1860-1904.

WRITING is led by Kay Vousden

We tell the children that WRITING lessons teach us how to communicate clearly, concisely, accurately and with effect.

WRITING Intent

Our intent is for all pupils – irrespective of their needs, abilities or background – to learn to write fluently, developing their own writer’s voice.  We aim to meet, and where possible exceed, the expectations laid out in the Early Learning Goals and National Curriculum, with pupils progressing appropriately across school. We recognise that spoken language underpins the development of Writing. The quality of language that pupils hear and speak is vital for developing their vocabulary and grammar and their understanding Writing.  We believe that children need to develop a secure knowledge-base in English, which follows a clear pathway of progression as they advance through the primary curriculum. We believe that a secure basis in literacy skills is crucial to a high quality education and will give our children the tools they need to participate fully as a member of society.

WRITING Implementation

Our Writing curriculum is developed around a sequence of high quality age-appropriate texts, using Literacy Count’s Ready Steady Write units of learning. We use each book to create opportunities to:

 

• develop grammar and punctuation knowledge and understanding to use and apply across the wider curriculum, through sentence accuracy sessions;

• explore the Writing structure and features of different genres, identifying the purpose and audience;

• plan and write an initial piece of Writing with a clear context and purpose before evaluating the effectiveness of Writing by editing and redrafting.

WRITING Impact

This curriculum design ensures that the needs of individual and small groups of children can be met within the environment of quality first teaching, supported by targeted, proven interventions where appropriate. In this way it can be seen to impact in a very positive way on children’s outcomes. Children have opportunities to share their learning with each other, their parents and carers and other learners through publishing their work. As a result, we have a community of enthusiastic writers who enjoy showcasing their developing literacy knowledge and skills. They are confident to take risks in their writing, and love to discuss and share their ideas.

SMSC in WRITING

The Writing Curriculum at primary school and beyond plays a crucial role in developing SMSC understanding by encouraging self-expression, critical thinking and an understanding of diverse perspectives linked to the texts we read, study, learn from and emulate.

Spiritual Development: is encouraged through self-expression in creative writing, poetry and narrative. Through storytelling and discussion children are able to explore the big questions about life.

Moral Development is encouraged by ethical thinking about big ideas such as right and wrong, justice and fairness through the stories we read and write.

Social Development is supported by collaborative projects, work and learning, including through peer feedback and group discussion.

Cultural Development is encouraged through accessing literature from a range of diverse cultures and ways of life. The books we choose to read help children to understand their own cultural identity while respecting and valuing others.

British Values: Democracy, The Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance

WRITING lessons supports children to build their understanding of British Values by reading a diverse range or books; thinking and discussion their ideas and expressing themselves through written word on a wide range of issues, using an increasing range of genre.