Intent

We aim to provide all children with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in all genres of writing, in order to allow pupils to be well-rounded authors and develop writing as a lifelong skill. Through the use of deconstruction of texts, purposeful grammar lessons and shared writing, we demonstrate the writing process so pupils learn the journey from gathering ideas, planning, drafting, editing and publishing.

Furthermore, we aim to cultivate writers who are capable of self-reflection and improvement, empowering students to re-read, edit, and enhance their own writing. We prioritise the development of essential language skills, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling, to ensure that students can communicate effectively in written form. We view reading and writing as being interlinked. Reading is a stepping stone to great writing by helping expand children’s vocabulary and demonstrating different ways of using words.

We have a well organised English curriculum that provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion. Our curriculum closely follows the aims of the National Curriculum for English to enable all children to:

● develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information

● gain a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of language conventions for reading, writing and spoken language

● write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences

● use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas

Implementation

At Gifford, we have a rigorous and well organised English curriculum and framework, which provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion. We use a wide variety of quality texts and resources to motivate and inspire our children. When planning English lessons, teachers make links to other areas of the curriculum to ensure that cross curricular links provide further context for learning. Teaching blocks focus on fiction, non-fiction or poetry, in line with the National Curriculum and comprehension, grammar and writing are embedded in lessons. Lesson sequences themselves build progressively towards an extended piece of writing.

Starting from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children are immersed in a rich tapestry of books, fostering a lifelong passion for reading right from the start. Whether exploring fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, our lessons are aligned with the National Curriculum. When planning English lessons, we begin by introducing children to the features of the genre, key topic vocabulary, and discussions on audience and purpose. We emphasise contextual learning, making connections to other areas of the curriculum to enrich the learning experience. Grammar instruction is seamlessly integrated into our lessons, taught within the context of the chosen texts before embarking on shared writing processes. Each lesson sequence is carefully structured to progressively build towards independent extended pieces of writing at the end of the writing cycle. 

Assessment for Learning is embedded in English lessons and children are active in reviewing the successes in their work and identifying, with support from their teacher, target areas for development to ensure a continuous and individualised approach to improving their work.

Recognising the unique needs of our students, we identify those requiring support and intervene in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Through adaptive teaching strategies we ensure accessibility for all children.

Impact

Outcomes of work in English demonstrate the high quality of work and the impact of varied and cross curricular writing opportunities. These enable children to write across a range of forms and adapt their writing successfully, considering the purpose.

Handwriting

At our school, we base our handwriting instruction on Letter-join’s online resource and lesson planners, which align with the National Curriculum standards.

Our overarching objective is to cultivate a legible, efficient handwriting style using continuous cursive letters, enabling students to write effortlessly and present their work to high standards.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, we introduce short handwriting sessions focusing on gross motor skills such as air-writing and pattern-making, as well as fine motor skills through mark-making exercises. Children also learn letter shapes, formation, and correct sitting positions and pencil grips.

As students’ progress into Key Stage 1, we continue to strengthen gross and fine motor skills while introducing numerals, capitals, and printed letters.

In Lower Key Stage 2, we emphasise the consistent use of cursive style across subjects, refining handwriting to meet the requirements of each lesson.

In Upper Key Stage 2, students advance to more sophisticated handwriting techniques, applying cursive writing across the curriculum for tasks such as form-filling, labelling, and note-taking.

We conduct discrete handwriting sessions at least once a week to monitor formation and pencil grip, while also highlighting correct posture and paper positioning.

Through this comprehensive approach, we aim to equip our students with effective handwriting skills essential for their academic success and personal development.

Spelling

We follow the ‘CollinsConnect’ programme for spelling, which provides children with the opportunity to recap on the previous year’s spelling patterns, and then introduces new patterns, sight words and homophones and homographs. This programme is in line with the National Curriculum for spelling.

Each week children (Years 2-6) are given spellings for homework and they are tested on them in the following week. The focus spelling pattern is taught in a weekly discrete spelling lesson.

How to help at home

There are lots of ways you can help your child with writing. Here are our top ideas:

Read, read, read...

Encouraging your child to read regularly at home is key to enhancing their writing skills. Reading exposes them to various authors' techniques, providing valuable inspiration for their own writing. Regular reading serves as a foundation for improved writing, enabling children to expand their vocabulary and explore different language styles. It's important to ensure your child experiences a variety of books, including fiction and non-fiction, to broaden their literary horizons. While they may have favourite books they enjoy revisiting, exposing them to diverse literature enriches their writing abilities.

Have your child to read to you

Making time to hear your child read isn’t just good for their reading. Seeing words in print helps them to understand the words, to spell them, and to see how grammar and punctuation are used to make meaning. When you read, occasionally talk about why the author has decided to include something and how they written it. For example: ‘I wonder why the author has chosen to describe the castle as “gloomy”?

Try some real-world writing

Writing for a real purpose can be a great way to fit in some practice. Writing cards, shopping lists, or letters/emails to relatives can be motivating real life reasons for writing, and can show children how useful it is to be able to write well. Helping children make the connection between writing and the “real” world will increase an interest in writing.

Talking to your child

Talk with your child regularly and ask a lot of questions. Conversations help develop skills like choosing words, expressing ideas, and reflecting on experiences. Instead of yes-no questions (like “Did you have a good day at school today?”), ask open ended questions (like “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?”). Talk with your child about places you visit, work you do, books you read, or television programs you watch together.

Create a writing space

Set aside a little corner in your house that is completely devoted to writing. This should be an area that is quiet and well lit. Having an area dedicated solely to writing will help free your child from distractions so they can focus on practicing writing skills. Stock the “writing centre” with supplies such as paper, pencils, crayons, markers, pens, or other writing instruments at home.

Celebrate your child's writing

Celebrate your child's writing by hanging their work in places where it is visible to all. Knowing that writing is important will go a long way toward motivating them to write more. You will be telling your child that their writing is important and worthy of being shared. They will want to write more and more. Emphasize your child’s successes. For every error your child makes, there are a dozen things done well. Resist the tendency to focus only on errors of spelling, punctuation, and other mechanical parts of writing.