Writing

Intent

The intent of the St James’ writing curriculum is to develop students' skills and confidence in written communication, enabling them to express themselves effectively and with clarity. It aims to foster a love for writing and a deep understanding of its purpose and importance in both academic and real-world contexts. Our writing curriculum aligns with the National Curriculum requirements and aims to prepare students for the next stages of their education by building a solid foundation in writing skills.

Expectations and Aspirations

We set high expectations for writing, aiming for all students to achieve their full potential and make excellent progress. The intention is to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment that caters to the needs of every student, allowing them to develop as confident and proficient writers. We encourage creativity, critical thinking, and independent writing skills alongside a focus on accuracy, grammar, and punctuation.

Curriculum Design and Sequencing

Our writing curriculum is carefully designed, ensuring a logical progression of skills that builds upon prior learning. It encompasses a rich variety of writing genres, such as narratives, poetry, persuasive texts, non-fiction reports, and recounts. The curriculum is broad and balanced, offering opportunities for cross-curricular writing and making connections with other subjects. It incorporates regular opportunities for extended writing tasks to develop sustained and coherent writing skills.

Writing for Different Purposes and Audiences

The curriculum nurtures students' ability to write for different purposes and audiences. Students are exposed to a wide range of writing styles, texts, and genres to expand their understanding of different writing contexts and foster their creativity. They are encouraged to analyze and imitate exemplary texts, developing their own voice whilst employing appropriate language features, structures, and conventions.

Implementation

To ensure the effective implementation of the writing curriculum, we focus on key areas that make lessons engaging, purposeful, and effective.

High-Quality Teaching

We invest in continuous professional development to ensure teachers are confident and knowledgeable in effective writing pedagogy. Teachers use a range of strategies, including modeling, scaffolding, and explicit instruction, to demonstrate the writing process and provide clear expectations for students. They differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners and provide regular feedback to support their progress.

Language Development and Vocabulary

Oral language development is integral to the implementation of the writing curriculum. Teachers explicitly teach and embed a rich vocabulary, ensuring students have a wide range of words at their disposal to express themselves effectively in writing. They provide opportunities for students to use and explore new vocabulary through verbal discussions, role-plays, and word games.

Purposeful and Engaging Writing Tasks

Writing tasks are purposeful and often linked to real-life contexts or themes, sparking students' interest and motivation. The curriculum includes opportunities for collaborative writing, where students engage in discussions and peer-to-peer feedback, further developing their writing skills. Regular opportunities for students to share and celebrate their writing create an authentic purpose for their work.

Support for Writers

We offer targeted support for struggling writers, identifying gaps in writing skills and providing interventions to address individual needs. These interventions may include small-group instruction, one-to-one support, or additional resources to scaffold learning. Students with specific learning needs or English as an Additional Language (EAL) receive tailored support to ensure their progress in writing.

Impact

The impact of our writing curriculum is evident in academic achievements, progress, and the overall development of students' writing skills.

High Standards of Attainment

Our rigorous approach to teaching and learning in writing ensures that students achieve high attainment levels. The assessment of writing work includes both formative and summative assessments to track progress and inform future teaching. Students are provided with clear targets as part of their next steps, guiding their progress as they move through the school.

Progress and Growth

We monitor the progress and growth of individual students, ensuring that all students, regardless of their starting points, make significant progress in writing. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own writing, identifying their strengths and areas for development. They are given opportunities to set personal writing goals and receive regular feedback from teachers to support their progress.

Confidence and Enjoyment

Our writing curriculum supports the development of students' confidence, resilience, and enjoyment of writing. Students become increasingly independent in their writing skills, employing a range of strategies and techniques with confidence. Regular opportunities for students to share and celebrate their writing successes contribute to a positive writing culture in the school.

Readiness for Future Education

The impact of the writing curriculum is evident as students progress to the next stages of their education fully equipped with the necessary writing skills. They demonstrate a solid understanding of different writing styles, structures, and conventions, enabling them to effectively engage in writing tasks across various subjects and contexts.