At Poulton Lancelyn, pupils record all of their written work in English in one book, which allows children to look back upon their writing journey to support them in the composition of their final pieces. Children then redraft into a published book. The writing process involves three stages of planning, drafting and editing. Within these stages, pupils have the opportunity to practise and apply their grammatical understanding. The process also includes the opportunity to unpick and understand specific genre structures and features. Teacher modelling of writing will take place to ensure that pupils are exposed to correct modelling of handwriting, composition and spelling. All extended pieces of writing are assessed by staff, who are supported in their judgements by assessment frameworks and exemplification materials.

In the Early Years, children start their writing journey through their play, mark making for a range of different purposes, for example writing shopping lists and making cards for loved ones, as well as learning to write their name. They begin to develop their fine motor skills so that they can use mark making tools appropriately. As they move into F2, they learn the individual letters and sounds and begin to develop their letter formation. They use these emerging skills to write phonetically plausible words, phrases and simple sentences in a range of contexts. Alongside this we focus strongly on language development and oracy skills – if they can’t say it, they can’t write it! We give the children purpose for writing through drawing club. Drawing club starts a child’s experience of school ‘Literacy’, immersing children into a world full of imagination where anything can happen.

Throughout Key Stage 1, the link between reading and writing continues to be reinforced. The children’s oracy skills are developed further through a wide variety of opportunities to discuss, verbalise and refine their ideas. This prepares them for the writing process. Shared and modelled writing provides an opportunity for teachers to demonstrate the writing process. Children will then use their developing phonic knowledge within their writing, before editing and redrafting their work. Motivation is enhanced by encouraging children to write for a range of purposes and audiences, including opportunities to publish their writing. Children are taught to develop the foundations of a fast, accurate and efficient handwriting style.

In KS2, children follow a structured approach to the writing process which begins with the deconstruction of a model text. Key grammatical structures are identified and relevant skills are taught through shared and modelled writing. Children then apply their learning through the process of planning, drafting, sharing, evaluating, revising, editing and publishing. Children working at greater depth are encouraged to exercise conscious control over levels of formality including the manipulation of grammar and vocabulary in order to demonstrate the appropriate register.