Writing at Shurdington begins in Reception, with a strong emphasis on oral composition and the development of transcription skills alongside systematic phonics teaching, providing structured support to reduce cognitive load and allow pupils to focus on expressing their ideas. The Reception year has a focus on gross and fine motor control, to give pupils the opportunity to develop the skills to hold and control a pencil.

Our curriculum teaches children:

• Correct letter formation, posture and pencil grip.
• Transcription skills. 
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Composition through modelled and shared writing.
• To write across the curriculum for a range of subjects.
• To write for a number of different purposes including: narratives, explanations, descriptions, comparisons, summaries and evaluations.

During the Autumn term, English lessons will focus on spelling, punctuation, grammar and handwriting

As the children move through the school, writing is taught in units designed to cover a range of genres split into four specific purposes: to entertain, to inform, to persuade and to discuss. Key Stage 1 focus on two purposes (to entertain and to inform), Lower Key Stage 2 three (to entertain, to inform and to persuade) and Upper Key Stage 2 all four. Each lesson must have a key question and a success criteria is used. This will allow children to write for a range of purposes and genres and this will be suited to their age.

Genres are spilt as follows:

	To Entertain (description to be taught as part of narrative unit)	To Inform	To Persuade	To Discuss
Year 1 & 2	Narrative Poetry	Recount Instructions Information text	N/A	N/A
Year 3 & 4	Narrative Poetry	Instructions Recount Information text Newspaper	Advert Letter	N/A
Year 5 & 6	Narrative Poetry	Newspaper Explanation Non-chronological report Biography	Letter Advert	Balanced Argument Essay/discussion

 

Writing Units

At Shurdington we have created our own approach to the teaching of writing meeting the needs of children in our community in the modern world. English units are book-based, to ensure a diverse, high quality literature is being used. Children are given opportunities to write across the curriculum using the skills they have been taught in English lessons.

 

All English units follow a particular sequence, the narrative example below, other genres can be found in the English planning document guidance.

 

Narrative unit – 4 week minimum

Each English unit follows a particular sequence of:

1. First hand experience (1 lesson)
2. Model descriptive writing (minimum of 6 lessons)
3. Grammar and punctuation (1 lesson)
4. Planning (1 lesson minimum)
5. Model writing the text in stages (minimum of 4 lessons)
6. Revise and edit (minimum of 2 lessons)
7. Publish (minimum of 1 lesson)

 

Handwriting

Handwriting is a vital part of our writing curriculum, as developing fluent, legible, and confident handwriting supports pupils’ transcription skills, enhances the clarity of their written communication, and enables them to focus on expressing their ideas creatively and effectively. Handwriting is taught precisely, in a clearly sequenced progression, starting from reception, to support their gradual acquisition of skills.

 

Key Stage 1

Handwriting is a key focus during the Autumn term, ensuring that high standards are established from the start of the year. It is taught four times a week during this term, with teachers consistently modelling and expecting excellence. Handwriting remains a priority throughout the year, with weekly lessons and regular opportunities for pupils to practise and consolidate their skills. Targeted interventions are provided for pupils who require additional support to achieve the expected standard.

 

Key Stage 2

Handwriting remains a key focus, with teachers emphasising the importance of pupils achieving automaticity. It is taught four times a week during the first six weeks of the Autumn term, after which teachers continue to model handwriting and maintain high expectations throughout the year. As in Key Stage 1, targeted interventions are provided for pupils who require additional support to reach the expected standard.

 

Spellings

Spellings are taught through our daily phonics lessons, Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS) in Reception and Year 1. Year 2 teach whole class spelling, 3 times a week using the ELS spelling programme. In Key Stage 2 Spelling continues to be taught 3 times a week following the Essential Spelling and Word Knowledge programme designed by ELS.

 

Writing Targets

Children will have three writing targets at all times. Writing targets are based on spelling, punctuation, grammar and presentation from their year group or previous year groups, depending on the child’s ability and will often be linked to a child’s My Plan target. Children must show that they have written using these targets four times. Every time a target is met a new one is given. Children are expected to complete three targets each half term.

Assessment

A wide range of strategies are used to measure the impact of our writing curriculum. Pupils’ progress is monitored through pupil voice, book looks, audits, and lesson observations. Writing is assessed using our online tracking system, Insight, alongside Ros Wilson’s standards for writing. Internal and external moderation are timetabled throughout the year, and SLT regularly carry out book looks.