Intent

At Kilkhampton Junior and Infant school, we believe that ability to write is fundamental to our children succeeding; enabling them to access the next stage of their education and beyond. Our curriculum has been designed to ensure that pupils enjoy writing and have passion and enthusiasm for it. Our aim is to ensure that pupils write clearly, accurately and coherently; write in different styles and for different purposes and audiences; develop a wide vocabulary and a solid understanding of the grammar rules and terminology appropriate for their age group. Vocabulary is a key focus within our school, as we have found that children come into the school with very limited vocabulary. Our curriculum has also been designed to ensure that pupils are able to express themselves creatively and to communicate effectively with others.

The writing curriculum has been designed to fully cover the areas set out in the National Curriculum, further details of which can be found in the Implementation section of this document.

Implementation

Writing is an important part of our curriculum and is an integral part of all of our lessons. Each writing unit is planned in accordance with the national curriculum objectives, whilst considering the purpose of writing. Writing units are predominantly taught as the class teacher sees fit to work best for them and their class ensuring the best outcome for that genre is produced. Where possible units will be linked to the topic, so that children can benefit from the links and deepen their understanding. ICT will be used, to improve children’s communication skills and to give a different platform to present / perform their work.

EYFS and Key Stage 1:

In EYFS, early literacy is predominantly taught through phonics. The focus is also on: letter formation, writing simple topic related words and their red words/tricky words.

In Key Stage 1, writing units are planned in both one and two week blocks, depending on the genre.

Key Stage 2:

Writing in Key Stage 2 is set out in the form of a two-week writing block. This consists of:

• A features lesson, where children look at work on a particular genre and identify features required.
• A selection of grammar and punctuation lessons, to cover the required grammar and punctuation features needed for that genre and related lessons to teach composition and effect.
• A modelled write by the teacher, to show what a good example would look like. Within in the modelling of the writing, teachers demonstrate how to include the features required so children can see how they can be included. 
• Time for children to write. Children are encouraged to respond to teachers marking with a green pen and make any corrections/ improvements to their writing ensuring they are writing to the best of their ability.
• At the end of each writing sequence, children use what they have learnt to produce a polished piece of writing in a ‘Published writing’ book.

A consistent spelling approach is used across Key Stage 2, where spellings are taught weekly. For those children still needing phonic interventions, this is carefully planned for after assessing children’s gaps and planned by each class teacher.

Across the school

Grammar and punctuation rules are taught both discretely and as part of English sequences of work to fit to the writing genre. In the long-term plan, teachers carefully match the national curriculum objectives to writing genres, to ensure that new terminology taught, can be applied in context.

We use the Nelson handwriting font, which is taught and practised daily.

Marking is rigorous in English and across the curriculum, with regular ‘response times’. From the end of Key Stage 1, children will be taught to self- correct, and edit to consolidate their work.  Regular book scrutinies are carried out to ensure this is happening. (For more information please see the school’s marking and feedback policy)

We love to celebrate success of all learners and strive to help all children achieve their goals. All children’s work is displayed throughout the school to showcase their writing which is updated every half term.

Impact

The impact of our English curriculum is that our children, across all abilities, move through the curriculum making similar progress. The impact shows progress, sustained learning and transferrable skills. With the implementation of the writing journey being well established and taught thoroughly in both key stages, children are becoming more confident writers and by the time they are in upper Key Stage 2, most genres of writing are familiar to them and the teaching can focus on creativity, sustained writing and manipulation of grammar and punctuation skills.

All aspects of English are an integral part of the curriculum, cross curricular writing standards have also improved and skills taught in the English lesson are transferred into other subjects; this shows consolidation of skills and a deeper understanding of how and when to use specific grammar and punctuation objectives. 

Attainment in writing is measured consistently throughout the year. At the end of each term, assessments are carried out and progress is tracked, using our writing evidence gathering grids.

By the end of Year 6, children will be meeting at least age related expectations or above.