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Writing

We aim to give our children a love of writing.  We believe in the importance of nurturing and cultivating ambitious and enthusiastic writers, who gain enjoyment from communicating their ideas, thoughts and creativity.

It is essential that teaching develops pupils’ competence in the two dimensions, transcription and composition. In addition, pupils should be taught how to plan, revise and evaluate their writing. These aspects of writing have been incorporated into the programmes of study for composition. Writing down ideas fluently depends on effective transcription: that is, on spelling quickly and accurately through knowing the relationship between sounds and letters (phonics) and understanding the morphology (word structure) and orthography (spelling structure) of words. Effective composition involves forming, articulating and communicating ideas, and then organising them coherently for a reader. This requires clarity, awareness of the audience, purpose and context, and an increasingly wide knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. Writing also depends on fluent, legible and, eventually, speedy handwriting.  - National Curriculum

Intent,  Implementation and Impact

intent

The school believes that English skills are vital to the development of children so they are prepared for their future life. A broad and balanced English programme using objectives from the National Curriculum 2014, determines the skills that each year group and Key Stage must cover. A range of genres studied and promoted. A variety of resources are used to promote a reading and writing culture. Children are given a range of writing opportunities including the use of paired, group and independent writing tasks. A culture of learning from each other is promoted through use of co-operative learning structures. This is developed across both key stages, so that the children learn to respond appropriately and supportively to each other regardless of gender, age, cultural or ethnic background. The aims of teaching writing in our school are to develop pupils who:

  • show high levels of achievement and exhibit very positive attitudes towards writing;
  • use and understand language as speakers, readers and writers.
  • are competent, confident and independent in the use of language in their writing.
  • have an awareness of different audiences and purposes for writing.
  • apply their grammatical knowledge in their writing as stated in the POS 2
  • apply their phonetical and spelling knowledge in their writing as stated in the POS 1
  • apply the English language in all areas of the curriculum.

implementAtion

Our school provides daily English lessons that are progressive and support skill development. The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum is followed to ensure continuity &progression from entering Nursery, moving on to Reception Class & then through to the National Curriculum in KS1 & KS2.

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum is divided into prime & specific areas of learning and development. 'Communication & Language' is one of 3 prime areas that are fundamental to supporting their language development. 'Communication & Language' is made up of the following aspects: listening and attention, understanding and speaking. ‘English' is one of 4 specific areas which include the development of essential skills and knowledge and is made up of the 2 aspects: reading & writing. Pupil provision is related to attainment, not age. Children learn through play, speaking and listening activities, teacher modelling, group work and self-direction.

At Withington we teach Grammar sessions which are then applied in children’s writing. As part of our enriched curriculum, English opportunities are planned through a variety of ways including through our author and via other subjects.

In English lessons across both Key Stages, teachers plan a sequence of lessons that explore quality texts and give pupils the opportunity to practice writing and reading skills through the use of co-operative learning structures. Teachers model these skills on regular basis and planning, editing, publishing and ICT based tasks can be planned in as part of the teaching sequence. 

Handwriting sessions are taught regularly to the children and follow a cursive programme. The children have separate handwriting books and are expected to apply this cursive script into their daily writing.

impact

Assessment for learning strategies are used on a daily basis. These will allow a picture to be built up of the pupils’ progress, any areas of strength or weakness which can then be addressed in teachers’ planning.

Assessment of learning is completed termly. Children complete independent writing pieces within a unit of work, which are assessed against our writing criteria. Teachers will have at least 6 pieces of work through the academic year. Analysis of the data impacts upon teachers planning so pupils’ needs can be addressed. Moderation of teacher assessment is also completed termly in order to ensure that judgements are accurate. Children are formally checked using Withington’s data program to ensure that they are making at least expected progress if not more than expected progress, this document is then monitored by subject leaders and SLT. Children who are not on track are identified for intervention/target teaching.

At the end of KS1 and KS2 teachers use the Teacher Assessment Framework to report Teacher assessment.

Our Curriculum

Please use the links below to view our curriculum documents: