Writing
Intent:
At Newchurch St. Nicholas, English is a key part of everything we do and is the foundation for all learning across the school. We believe that reading and writing are important life skills, so we are dedicated to helping our pupils become confident, fluent readers and enthusiastic writers.
Our reading and writing journey begins in the Early Years, where children explore books, practise mark making, and learn phonics in fun and engaging ways. This helps them develop a love of stories and early writing skills right from the start. As children move into Key Stage 1, they continue to learn phonics and begin to use this knowledge in their writing.
We aim to surround our pupils with high-quality texts so they develop a love for reading, curiosity about the world, and confidence to use their imagination. We know that strong reading skills support success in all subjects, so we teach reading in a clear, balanced and supportive way.
In writing, we want children to be able to write accurately, use correct spelling patterns, and develop neat handwriting. We also introduce them to a wide range of vocabulary so they can understand new words and use them confidently when speaking and writing in different situations.
This is all underpinned by:
High expectations: It is our intention that all children make progress and reach their potential.
Modelling: Teachers model a passion for reading and writing and use well-spoken English to support oracy.
Fluency: Children have opportunities to apply their skills from English across the curriculum.
Vocabulary: Children will be immersed in a vocabulary rich environment with the expectation that this new, acquired knowledge of words (and their origins) will be applied in different situations.
Implementation:
Impact:
Key Learning in Writing - Taken from Lancashire Literacy Team
What is Key Learning in Writing?
The Key Learning in Writing statements relate to the age appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding for each year group. These key pieces of learning will support pupils in becoming effective and reflective independent writers.
Where have they come from?
The Key Learning statements have been identified primarily from the National Curriculum 2014 programmes of study. Other key documents cross referenced in their preparation include the Early Years Foundation Stage documents and Lancashire Assessment and Progression in Writing.
How might Key Learning in Writing be useful?
The Key Learning statements should help to focus, and be exemplified during, whole class teaching. Taught in the context of lively, engaging and creative units of work, they help to ensure that pupils make progress as writers. Teaching should ensure that skills are modelled and scaffolded and that pupils are given opportunities to apply them in a range of different contexts. Regular teaching of skills would normally take place through a combination of lively 'warm up' sessions (particularly during the earlier phases of the teaching sequence), shared writing and guided writing. Pupils will practise applying their learning during independent and guided writing and have regular opportunities to reflect on how well they have done. To consolidate, children should be encouraged to apply their learning in their cross curricular writing.
Why are the Key Learning in Writing statements not levelled?
The Key Learning statements are age appropriate and are therefore particularly suited to supporting whole class teaching. Levelled statements, useful for supporting next steps teaching for groups (including guided writing) can be found in Lancashire’s Assessment and Progression in Writing, and Children’s Targets for Writing.