Writing

 Writing - our intent 

At Checkendon Church of England (A) Primary School, our writing curriculum is designed to inspire and empower our pupils, aged 5-11, to become confident and articulate communicators. We believe that writing is a vital skill that opens doors to creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.

Our intention is to foster a love for writing by:

• Encouraging Creativity: We provide a stimulating environment where students can explore their imaginations and express their ideas through various writing styles and genres.

• Building Skills: Our curriculum is structured to develop students' writing skills progressively, from basic sentence construction to advanced composition techniques.

• Promoting Expression: We encourage pupils to express their thoughts and emotions clearly and effectively, recognising the power of words in shaping their world.

• Celebrating Diversity: We value the unique voices and experiences of all our students, and we aim to nurture an inclusive writing culture that respects and celebrates diversity.

• Connecting with Community: We engage with parents and the wider community to showcase our pupils' work and celebrate their achievements, fostering a sense of pride and belonging.

Our dedicated teachers work collaboratively to create lesson plans that are engaging, challenging, and supportive. We use a variety of resources and assessments to ensure every child can achieve their full potential in writing.

We are committed to providing our pupils with the tools they need to succeed in writing and beyond. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Writing - our implementation 

We are committed to delivering high-quality writing education that aligns with the National Curriculum. Here’s how we are implementing it across different Key Stages:

Key Stage 1 (KS1)

• Developing Pleasure in Writing: We encourage Year 1 pupils to form short narratives, and by Year 2, they are writing both fictional and real narratives, poetry, and for various purposes. This helps them express their experiences and ideas creatively.

• Interactive Learning: Pupils listen to and discuss a wide range of stories, fairy tales, and non-fiction texts, which helps them develop comprehension and vocabulary skills.

Key Stage 2 (KS2)

• Expanding Writing Skills: In Years 3 and 4, students engage with a variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, and plays. They learn to create narratives with well-developed settings, characters, and plots.

• Advanced Composition: By Years 5 and 6, pupils are crafting detailed narratives that integrate dialogue and describe settings and atmosphere. They also write for different purposes, enhancing their ability to adapt their writing style to suit different contexts.

Teaching Strategies

• Audience and Purpose: We emphasize the importance of understanding the audience and purpose of writing, which enhances the relevance and engagement of our writing tasks.

• Handwriting and Transcription: Teaching handwriting and transcription skills is crucial as it frees up mental resources, allowing pupils to focus more on content and composition.

• Diagnostic Assessments: We use assessments to identify specific difficulties, tailoring our teaching to meet the individual needs of our pupils.

Staff Development

• We provide continuous professional development opportunities for our teachers, ensuring they are equipped with the latest strategies in teaching writing effectively.  

By following these strategies, we aim to foster a love for writing and equip our pupils with the skills they need to succeed in their academic journey and beyond.

Writing - our impact

• Our students consistently demonstrate improved writing skills, with a focus on structure, clarity, and creativity.

• We nurture confident writers who are eager to express their ideas and engage in meaningful communication.

• By developing strong writing skills, our students are well-prepared for future academic challenges and real-world communication.