English - Writing

Intent

At St Richard’s Catholic Primary School, our intent is to develop confident, creative and independent writers who can communicate their ideas effectively and write to a high standard for a wide range of purposes and audiences.

Our approach to writing is structured around the principles of Pie Corbett’s Talk for Writing, recognising that children become successful writers when they are immersed in high-quality language, understand how effective texts are constructed and are given the tools and confidence to create writing of their own.

Our ultimate aim is to move children from supported writing towards genuine independence. While structures, models and scaffolds are used to establish strong foundations, these are progressively reduced so that pupils learn to draw upon their growing repertoire of writing skills independently.

Above all, we aim to ensure that every child leaves St Richard’s understanding that writing gives them a voice and possessing the skills to use that voice with confidence, creativity and purpose.

Implementation

In order to help us to develop confident, enthusiastic writers who can express themselves in a variety of different styles and across a variety of contexts, our teaching of writing is often cross curricular and linked to our class topics. Writing is often linked to a whole class text which is shared with the children. This provides our children with regular opportunities to write for a range of purposes and audiences. Writing tasks are specific and meaningful, and where possible meet a purpose to engage children and to illustrate how their writing skills can be applied to real life contexts.

Spelling is taught daily in Key Stage 1 through Phonics lessons, and weekly in Key Stage 2.  Children who need additional support with spelling receive a variety of interventions that are tailored to address their gaps.

We monitor judgements in the assessment of writing through termly in-school moderations as well as collaboration moderations throughout the year with partner schools.

Impact

Pupils will make good or better progress from their own personal starting points. By the end of Year Six they will be able to write clearly and accurately and manipulate their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences. Our pupils will acquire a wide vocabulary and have a strong command of the written word. Most importantly, they will develop a love of writing and be well equipped for the rest of their education.