English: Writing

“You can make anything by writing.” – C.S.Lewis

• Writing enables children to stretch and reach up academically – they move  from learning to write, to writing to learn. They can capture their own and others’ questions, thoughts, ideas and  findings.
• Writing enables children to stretch and reach in and out – it affords them the means to think deeply, express themselves, shape their circumstances and have influence in the world.
• Writing enables children to stretch and reach forwards – they can communicate with those they have not met and challenge their thoughts and ideas . Through writing, children can establish themselves in the worlds of imagination, learning, life and work.

Our aim is to equip our children with the skills and motivation needed to write legibly, fluently, appropriately and confidently for a wide range of purposes and audiences.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, the environment (indoors and outdoors) provides plentiful opportunities to engage in the foundations of writing.  These include a systematic but playful focus on gross and fine motor skills, communication and language and mark making.  The play provision and the adult’s interactions support this, and adults carefully model the importance and purpose of writing.

In Reception, daily phonics lessons teach children to use sounds to segment and write words.  In discrete handwriting sessions they learn the Kenyngton ‘Ready to Write’ routine and enjoy making patterns and the correct formation of letters .  They are supported to write phrases and sentences by the end of reception.

In Key Stage 1 we continue to focus on the transcriptional skills needed to become a fluent writer, with a systematic approach ensuring the foundations of writing are developed using phonics to support spelling, and handwriting sessions to ensure fluency.  Children who need extra help are identified and supported. A focus is placed on grammatically-correct orally-composed sentences and then writing in clear grammatically correct sentences.

Throughout Key Stage 2 regular spelling and handwriting sessions allow children to increase their writing speed and confidence. The focus on composition gradually increases.

From the early years through to year 6, we use the ‘Talk for Writing’ approach to support writing through oral composition.

Each unit of work begins by inspiring the children with a high-quality text (fiction or non-fiction).  Children enjoy imitating the tone and structure by retelling stories, partaking in discussions and drama which encourages creative and critical thinking.  A focus on oral composition supports all children to view themselves as a writer.  Children are taught to plan, draft, revise and edit before presenting their finished piece.   We encourage children to challenge themselves by using ambitious vocabulary, grammatical structures and a range of punctuation, linked to the National Curriculum.  Children are then increasingly given opportunities to apply their new writing skills in other subjects and contexts.

Enrichment activities such as writing competitions, author visits, poetry sessions and extracurricular clubs also foster an enjoyment of writing.