Writing

Writing intent

At Woodthorpe Church of England Primary School, we believe that all pupils should be able to confidently communicate their knowledge, ideas, creativity and emotions through their writing. We want pupils to acquire a wide vocabulary, a solid understanding of grammar and be able to spell new words by effectively applying the spelling patterns and rules they learn throughout their time at Woodthorpe. We want them to write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences.

At Woodthorpe we believe that all pupils should have high expectations of themselves and take pride in the presentation of their writing by developing a good handwriting style. We believe that all good writers refine and edit their writing over time, so we want children to develop independence in being able to identify their own areas for improvement in all pieces of writing, editing their work effectively during and after the writing process.

Writing Intent, Implementation and Impact

Writing Curriculum

Writing at Woodthorpe

At Woodthorpe, we believe that every child is a writer. Our writing curriculum is carefully designed to develop confident, creative and purposeful writers through a progressive journey that begins in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and builds throughout the school.

Writing is at the heart of learning. We combine speaking and listening, vocabulary development, phonics, spelling, grammar, punctuation and composition to ensure children develop the knowledge and skills needed to communicate effectively. By building on prior learning and making writing relevant to children's experiences, interests and the wider world, we inspire children to see themselves as successful writers.

High-quality texts form the foundation of our writing curriculum. Teachers foster a love of writing by sharing engaging literature, modelling the writing process and creating meaningful opportunities for children to write for a range of purposes and audiences. Through shared, guided and independent writing, pupils learn what effective writing looks like and develop the confidence to craft their own pieces. We encourage our children to write as readers and read as writers.

Children have opportunities to write every day, whether through English lessons, phonics, guided reading, handwriting, morning activities, foundation subjects or independent learning. Writing is valued across the curriculum and children are encouraged to apply their skills in a wide range of contexts.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In EYFS, children begin their writing journey within a language-rich environment where communication, storytelling and mark-making are highly valued. Through carefully chosen texts, Drawing Club, Tales Toolkit and imaginative role-play opportunities, children develop their vocabulary, creativity and understanding of narrative.

As children's phonics knowledge develops, they begin to write dictated sentences as part of their phonics programme and apply their developing skills through purposeful writing opportunities across the provision. Writing is embedded throughout the curriculum, enabling children to make meaningful connections between spoken language, reading and writing.

Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1, children continue to develop their writing skills through a range of engaging experiences and high-quality texts. Teachers use elements of Talk for Writing in selected units to support children's understanding of text structures, language patterns and storytelling techniques through oral rehearsal and shared learning.

To support sentence development and language acquisition, some children benefit from the use of Colourful Semantics. This approach provides a visual framework for sentence construction, helping children to understand how sentences are organised and enabling them to communicate their ideas more effectively in both speech and writing.

Grammar is taught explicitly through dedicated lessons each week, and children are encouraged to apply their learning independently across a range of writing tasks.

Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 2, children develop greater independence, stamina and confidence as writers. Through exposure to high-quality texts and carefully planned writing opportunities, pupils learn to write for a range of audiences and purposes while developing their own authorial voice.

Teachers model the writing process and support children in making effective choices about vocabulary, sentence structure, organisation and style. Grammar is taught alongside writing lessons so that children can understand how grammatical features enhance meaning and improve the impact of their writing. Pupils are encouraged to apply these skills across all areas of the curriculum.

Vocabulary and Language Development

Vocabulary development is a priority throughout the school. From the Early Years onwards, children are immersed in language-rich environments that expose them to ambitious and meaningful vocabulary linked to their learning.

English working walls in every classroom support children by displaying key vocabulary.

These resources help children to become increasingly independent writers and support them in applying new learning confidently within their written work.

Editing and Improving Writing

At Woodthorpe, we view writing as a process. Children are taught that effective writers review, edit and improve their work. From Year 3 onwards, pupils are encouraged to evaluate their writing independently, responding to feedback and making improvements using green pen.

Teachers provide both verbal and written feedback so that children understand what they have achieved and what their next steps are. This helps children to become reflective, resilient learners who take pride in their work.

Writing Across the Curriculum

Writing is an essential skill across all subjects. Whether children are writing in English, history, geography, science or religious education, the same high expectations for presentation, handwriting, spelling, punctuation and grammar apply.

By providing regular opportunities to write across the curriculum, we enable children to practise and strengthen their writing skills in meaningful and purposeful contexts.

Assessment

Teachers use the DDAT Writing Grids to assess children's writing and identify whether they are working at Age-Related Expectations (ARE), working towards, below or above the expected standard.

Assessment is ongoing and informs future teaching, ensuring that all children receive the support and challenge they need to succeed. Alongside formal assessment, regular verbal and written feedback helps children recognise their strengths, identify areas for improvement and make continual progress as writers.

Our aim is for every child to leave Woodthorpe as a confident, articulate and skilled writer who can communicate effectively, think creatively and write with purpose, accuracy and pride.

Talk for Writing

Handwriting

Intent

At Woodthorpe, we believe that presentation is an important part of effective communication. We encourage all children to take pride in their work and develop a neat, fluent and legible handwriting style by the end of Year 6. Our aim is for all pupils to develop a joined cursive handwriting style and to use this consistently across the curriculum from the end of Year 3 onwards.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, handwriting is taught alongside our phonics programme, Read Write Inc. As children develop their fine motor skills and become ready to write, they are encouraged to hold a pencil correctly and form letters using the Read Write Inc. letter formation phrases and guidance.

In Year 1, children take part in daily discrete handwriting lessons and are given regular opportunities to practise letter formation and handwriting skills across the curriculum. As pupils progress through Year 1 and into Year 2, they follow the Read Write Inc. Handwriting Programme, which supports them in developing accurate letter formation, spacing and letter joins.

This programme continues into Year 3, where handwriting is taught explicitly to ensure children develop fluency and consistency in their joined script. Where needed, additional handwriting support continues into Year 4 to help all children achieve a confident and legible handwriting style.

High expectations for presentation are maintained across all subjects. Children are encouraged to apply their handwriting skills in all written work, helping them to take pride in their achievements and present their learning to the highest possible standard.

Read, Write, inc letter formation

Woodthorpe handwriting style cursive