Writing is the use of language and devices to engage an audience in order to discuss, entertain, inform or persuade.

Leaders: Chloe Howard and Anna Stroud

Intent

By the end of Key Stage 2, the aim is for all children to write effectively for a range of different purposes and audiences. At Frimley C of E, we use high quality texts, short videos and engaging hooks to develop a love of writing across all genres. We believe that the skills encompassed in English are vital for underpinning every area of the school curriculum. Children will be equipped with the knowledge to understand the importance of their voice within writing and how this can impact the reader. All children will have the opportunity to take risks with their writing, using models and scaffolds to support their creativity.

Implementation

Children have frequent opportunities to write for a variety of purposes and audiences, not just in English but across the curriculum.

At Frimley C of E, we use The Write Stuff by Jane Considine approach to writing. The children use the Writing Rainbow, via a series of writing lenses which includes a variety of high-level vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure and writing techniques. Each year group carefully plan a sequence of lessons using carefully selected stories, animations, plays, film clips and poems.  Lessons comprise of a mix of experience days which help to immerse the pupils and to unlock their creativity.

During a sequence of lessons, pupils have opportunities to write individually and in groups, as the teacher models writing skills and gives direct feedback. Each unit of writing will consist of a variety of grammatical techniques which will be taught within the context of the lesson. This will allow the children to experience purposeful grammar from which they can apply within their independent writing.

Children will be taught how to effectively edit and improve their own writing through a range of techniques including the use of targeted editing stations and teacher led marking and feedback.  We encourage the children to self and peer assess writing which allows them to reflect on their own progress within a writing lesson and feel proud of their achievements.

As part of the writing process, we encourage children to consider their presentation and handwriting allowing them to take pride within their work. Spelling is taught discretely throughout the school as pupils are immersed in an investigative and vocabulary rich environment.

Impact

By the time they leave Frimley:

• Pupils will enjoy writing across a range of genres
• Pupils of all abilities will be able to succeed in all writing lessons
• Pupils will have a good knowledge of writing techniques
• Pupils will be able to articulate their thoughts, ideas and imagination orally and through the written word
• Pupils will become creative writers, able to write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences

In writing lessons you will see and hear:

• Talk for writing
• A buzz of learning and sharing ideas and vocabulary
• Pupils sharing ideas and contributing to class writing
• Pupils using the teacher model to support their own writing
• Pupils independently applying skills, (from the Writing Rainbow) to the writing task, using retrieval of previously learnt skills to deepen the moment
• Pupils re-reading their own work and independently editing and self-reflecting
• Celebration of pupils writing