Writing
Writing at Sir John Moore C.E. Primary School
At Sir John Moore C.E. Primary School, we are committed to developing confident and skilled writers by focusing on the foundational skills of transcription and letter formation. These essential skills underpin all aspects of writing and are prioritized across our curriculum to ensure every child has the tools needed for success.
Building Strong Foundations in Writing
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Writing at Sir John Moore C.E. Primary School
At Sir John Moore C.E. Primary School, we are committed to nurturing the early writing skills of our youngest learners through a comprehensive and engaging approach. Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is designed to inspire a love for storytelling, develop strong communication abilities, and build the foundational skills necessary for confident writing.
Drawing Club
We implement the innovative Drawing Club approach, inspired by Greg Bottrill's methodology. This program immerses children in the magic of stories, using picture books, tales, and animations to ignite their imagination and enhance language skills. Through Drawing Club, children engage in creative drawing activities that serve as a bridge to early writing, allowing them to express their ideas visually before transitioning to written forms.
For further information about the Drawing Club approach, please see: https://www.canigoandplaynow.com/drawing-club.html
Story Sharing and Oracy Development
Regular sharing of books and stories is central to our curriculum, fostering a rich language environment. We prioritise oracy development, encouraging children to articulate their thoughts, retell stories, and engage in discussions. This emphasis on spoken language lays the groundwork for effective communication and supports the progression into writing.
Phonics and Letter Formation
A strong focus on phonics and letter formation is integral to our EYFS writing programme. Children participate in daily phonics sessions to develop their understanding of sounds and letters, which is essential for reading and writing. We also emphasise correct letter shapes and handwriting techniques, ensuring that children build the fine motor skills and muscle memory required for fluent writing.
Early Learning Goals (ELGs) for Writing
Our approach aligns with the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) for writing, which state that children should:
Key Stage 1
In Year 1, pupils focus on letter formation, transcription, and handwriting, building automaticity through daily practice. We ensure that most of the class has secure letter formation and has achieved Phase 3 phonics before introducing compositional aspects such as text types and genres. This approach ensures pupils have the necessary foundational skills before tackling higher-order writing tasks such as composition and structure, in line with Berninger and Antmann's (2003) 'Not So Simple View of Writing', which emphasises how ideas, transcription and executive function place demands on working memory during the writing process. Our approach is supported by the DfE Guidance for English (2012), which emphasises that “fluent transcription skills free pupils to think about the content and meaning of their writing.” By embedding these skills early, we enable pupils to approach writing tasks with confidence and accuracy.
A Grammar-Focused Writing Curriculum
This year, we have introduced a new writing curriculum that places grammar and punctuation at its core. Pupils spend time understanding the building blocks of language before increasing the complexity of their writing outcomes. Through this method, children develop the precision and clarity necessary to express their ideas effectively. By integrating grammatical understanding with their own writing and their analysis of the writing of others, pupils can harness the power of the English language to write with specific purposes and audiences in mind.
Integrated and Purposeful Writing Units
Where possible, our writing units are linked to science, history, or geography topics, providing a meaningful context for writing. Class reads also support these units, enriching vocabulary and content knowledge. For example:
Each unit begins with an initial assessment of what pupils know, enabling teachers to adapt lessons and focus on the key knowledge and skills required for success. By tailoring instruction, we ensure all pupils make meaningful progress in their writing.
Daily Handwriting Practice
Handwriting and transcription skills are reinforced daily throughout KS2 to build fluency and automaticity. Research evidence has found that handwriting processes do not become fully automaticised until the age of 14-15 (Pontart et al., 2013). This daily practice ensures pupils can write confidently and legibly, allowing them to focus on the content and creativity of their writing as they progress through the school.
Preparing Confident Writers
At Sir John Moore C.E. Primary School, our writing curriculum ensures pupils are equipped with the foundational skills, grammatical understanding, and creative ability to communicate effectively. By linking writing to rich texts and curriculum themes, we foster purposeful and engaging writing experiences that inspire our pupils to express themselves with confidence and clarity.
Writing
Writing at Sir John Moore C.E. Primary School
At Sir John Moore C.E. Primary School, we are committed to developing confident and skilled writers by focusing on the foundational skills of transcription and letter formation. These essential skills underpin all aspects of writing and are prioritized across our curriculum to ensure every child has the tools needed for success.
Building Strong Foundations in Writing
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Writing at Sir John Moore C.E. Primary School
At Sir John Moore C.E. Primary School, we are committed to nurturing the early writing skills of our youngest learners through a comprehensive and engaging approach. Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is designed to inspire a love for storytelling, develop strong communication abilities, and build the foundational skills necessary for confident writing.
Drawing Club
We implement the innovative Drawing Club approach, inspired by Greg Bottrill's methodology. This program immerses children in the magic of stories, using picture books, tales, and animations to ignite their imagination and enhance language skills. Through Drawing Club, children engage in creative drawing activities that serve as a bridge to early writing, allowing them to express their ideas visually before transitioning to written forms.
For further information about the Drawing Club approach, please see: https://www.canigoandplaynow.com/drawing-club.html
Story Sharing and Oracy Development
Regular sharing of books and stories is central to our curriculum, fostering a rich language environment. We prioritise oracy development, encouraging children to articulate their thoughts, retell stories, and engage in discussions. This emphasis on spoken language lays the groundwork for effective communication and supports the progression into writing.
Phonics and Letter Formation
A strong focus on phonics and letter formation is integral to our EYFS writing programme. Children participate in daily phonics sessions to develop their understanding of sounds and letters, which is essential for reading and writing. We also emphasise correct letter shapes and handwriting techniques, ensuring that children build the fine motor skills and muscle memory required for fluent writing.
Early Learning Goals (ELGs) for Writing
Our approach aligns with the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) for writing, which state that children should:
Key Stage 1
In Year 1, pupils focus on letter formation, transcription, and handwriting, building automaticity through daily practice. We ensure that most of the class has secure letter formation and has achieved Phase 3 phonics before introducing compositional aspects such as text types and genres. This approach ensures pupils have the necessary foundational skills before tackling higher-order writing tasks such as composition and structure, in line with Berninger and Antmann's (2003) 'Not So Simple View of Writing', which emphasises how ideas, transcription and executive function place demands on working memory during the writing process. Our approach is supported by the DfE Guidance for English (2012), which emphasises that “fluent transcription skills free pupils to think about the content and meaning of their writing.” By embedding these skills early, we enable pupils to approach writing tasks with confidence and accuracy.
A Grammar-Focused Writing Curriculum
This year, we have introduced a new writing curriculum that places grammar and punctuation at its core. Pupils spend time understanding the building blocks of language before increasing the complexity of their writing outcomes. Through this method, children develop the precision and clarity necessary to express their ideas effectively. By integrating grammatical understanding with their own writing and their analysis of the writing of others, pupils can harness the power of the English language to write with specific purposes and audiences in mind.
Integrated and Purposeful Writing Units
Where possible, our writing units are linked to science, history, or geography topics, providing a meaningful context for writing. Class reads also support these units, enriching vocabulary and content knowledge. For example:
Each unit begins with an initial assessment of what pupils know, enabling teachers to adapt lessons and focus on the key knowledge and skills required for success. By tailoring instruction, we ensure all pupils make meaningful progress in their writing.
Daily Handwriting Practice
Handwriting and transcription skills are reinforced daily throughout KS2 to build fluency and automaticity. Research evidence has found that handwriting processes do not become fully automaticised until the age of 14-15 (Pontart et al., 2013). This daily practice ensures pupils can write confidently and legibly, allowing them to focus on the content and creativity of their writing as they progress through the school.
Preparing Confident Writers
At Sir John Moore C.E. Primary School, our writing curriculum ensures pupils are equipped with the foundational skills, grammatical understanding, and creative ability to communicate effectively. By linking writing to rich texts and curriculum themes, we foster purposeful and engaging writing experiences that inspire our pupils to express themselves with confidence and clarity.