Whole School Writing

Intent

At Moorlands Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that every child—irrespective of their background or starting point—leaves our school as a confident, capable writer, equipped with a solid grasp of Standard English and the ability to use it appropriately and effectively.

From the earliest stages, children are nurtured as writers, encouraged to express themselves and build upon the writing experiences they encounter in their daily lives. We provide rich, engaging, and purposeful opportunities for students to develop their writing for a variety of audiences and purposes. By writing in a wide range of contexts, children will gain the confidence to communicate clearly and effectively, leaving Moorlands Primary School well-prepared for the demands of secondary education and beyond.

We carefully consider and plan for the audience and purpose of each writing unit, ensuring that children are writing with intention and developing a strong authorial voice. This approach helps pupils understand the relevance and impact of their writing in real-world contexts. In addition, we plan meaningful independent writing opportunities that allow children to write at length, giving them the space to apply and consolidate the key foundational writing skills they have been taught.

Our writing curriculum is designed to support children in mastering the technical aspects of writing, including transcription, grammar and spelling, while also allowing them to explore and enjoy different genres and styles. Through structured and progressive teaching, pupils learn how to craft, refine and edit their work. Each lesson builds on prior learning while introducing new content in creative and memorable ways, helping to make writing a fulfilling and empowering experience.

Implementation

Our English teaching is rooted in a literature-rich approach, where children are immersed in engaging, carefully selected texts. Through a blend of reading, writing and spoken language activities, pupils have the opportunity to experience high-quality literature that sparks insightful discussion, promotes purposeful writing and develops confident communication skills. In Key Stage 2, our writing units are shaped by elements of the ‘Write Stuff’ approach, which helps bring clarity and structure to the mechanics of writing. Each lesson follows a clear sequence: Initiate, where a stimulus is introduced to spark imagination and generate ideas; Model, where the teacher carefully constructs a paragraph, explicitly demonstrating key writing features and techniques while thinking aloud to show the reasoning behind their choices; and Enable, where pupils apply what they’ve learned by crafting their own paragraphs, innovating and applying their knowledge independently.

At Moorlands Primary School, the National Curriculum and EYFS Framework guide the planning and delivery of our writing curriculum. To ensure that every child can succeed, writing is scaffolded thoughtfully and responsively, with live marking and feedback used to provide timely support. This inclusive approach enables all learners, regardless of need or starting point, to achieve their intended outcomes and feel confident in their progress.

Transcription skills are taught alongside composition, with children regularly practicing handwriting and engaging in memorable, creative activities to reinforce the importance of spelling. During focused Read, Write Inc. sessions in KS1, children are explicitly taught how to transfer their developing phonics and spelling skills into their writing. Phonics and spelling rules are consistently referenced during writing lessons, ensuring that students are supported in applying these skills across all subjects.

The teaching of grammar and Standard English is embedded in every writing lesson. Guided by the National Curriculum, key grammar concepts are mapped out in a progressive and systematic way, ensuring a solid foundation for all students. Additionally, the ‘Write Stuff’ approach in KS2 strengthens grammar instruction through the use of the ‘Writing Rainbow’ which is displayed in classrooms and made up of:

· The FANTASTICs, an acronym summarizing key writing concepts, help students understand and apply different writing techniques.

· The GRAMMARISTICs, a classroom resource, enables teachers to deliver clear, focused grammar instruction that reinforces essential rules.

· The BOMBASTICs, a visual guide, supports children in adding dramatic flair and poetic devices to their writing, encouraging creativity and depth.

These strategies work together to ensure that grammar is not only taught explicitly but is also integrated into the creative process of writing.

Impact

Through consistent monitoring of lesson plans, books, and pupil interviews, it is evident that writing is taught in a structured and progressive manner. The progression of prior learning is thoughtfully considered, ensuring that lessons are impactful and memorable. Children take pride in discussing their writing, exploring its structure, purpose and the impact it has on the reader. They feel confident in sharing their work with teachers, peers and parents alike.

Teachers use the Moorlands Primary School progression statements and year group TAFs alongside a range of the child’s writing to monitor progress and assess them at key points throughout the school year. In-school, across-cluster and local authority moderations ensure accuracy when assessing. Children’s progress is communicated to parents and carers three times throughout the academic year. The Senior Leadership Team regularly monitors the teaching and learning of writing to maintain high standards and identify areas for continued professional development.