Writing is a key skill that enables our children to communicate in a personnel and communitive manner.  We aim to enthuse and inspire our children to become capable and enthusiastic writers, who will develop a genuine love of writing. Our topic approach enables children to write for a wide range of purposes and gives them the opportunity to develop their understanding of the different writing genres.

Within writing pupils are taught how to use the appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling elements and are encouraged to reflect on how vocabulary and sentence structure choices can affect the reader.  The writing journey starts by our children being immersed in quality-modelled texts, whereby they can identify and understand the varied features.  This is then followed by using class and group discussions on how to plan for their own writing and what the outcome and purpose is of the written texts.  Pupils are then submerged into the topic based writing activities, which enable them, them the opportunities to write for a range of purposes and different audiences.   

Statement of Intent

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, the aim of teaching English is to ensure that our children both enjoy and effectively practise the skills of reading, writing and speaking and listening. This is to enable and prompt our children to become literate and to be able to communicate effectively in the ever-changing world around them. Our pupils will be given different opportunities to interrelate the requirements of English within a broad and balanced approach to the teaching of English across the curriculum, with guidance and support to consolidate and reinforce taught literacy skills. Statutory requirements for the teaching and learning of English are laid out in the National Curriculum English Document (2014) and in the Communication, Language and Literacy section of the Early Years Framework. We want our children to develop a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards writing that will stay with them. Writing is integral to all aspects of the curriculum and we endeavour to engage our pupils in purposeful writing activities. In addition to this, writing enables pupils to communicate with people, it encourages thinking and communication skills to grow and writing can give our children the platform to share their experiences and ideas. These skills are vital as they give children a platform to demonstrate and share their understanding of different subjects and are beneficial when taken in to adult life.

Implementation

To enable our children to develop, fulfil, master and relish their full writing potential we aim for each child to:

• Have a positive attitude and write with confidence, clarity and imagination. 
• Understand and apply their knowledge of phonics and spelling. 
• Write in a range of genres (including fiction, non-fiction and poetry).
• Plan, draft, revise and edit their own work, and learn how to self and peer assess against the success criteria.
• Have the opportunity to write for purpose and share their portfolio of work with a range of audiences.
• Develop a technical vocabulary through which to understand and discuss their writing.
• Incorporate and use relevant punctuation and grammar correctly.
• Use cursive script handwriting (see separate policy).

Impact

Assessment of writing will be used consistently throughout the year. Each piece of writing will be monitored against the relevant year group checklist, as this will give a formative assessment of skills/gaps. In addition to this there are regular opportunities to moderate with other staff members to ensure consistency and progression. Children also have the opportunity to edit their work with feedback from both adults and peers.