Writing

Intent
At Sketchley Hill, we believe that literacy and communication are key life skills. Through the English curriculum, we will help children to develop the skills and knowledge that will enable them to communicate effectively and creatively through spoken and written language. We believe that language and literacy are fundamental to the overall development of the child and their access to the curriculum.

​In order for children to become literate they must understand that the written word is a representation of the spoken word, and that both have a variety of forms related to purpose.

We want children to enjoy and appreciate literature and its rich variety. We provide children with the opportunity to express themselves creatively and imaginatively, as they become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama as well as non-fiction and media texts.

​We aim to deliver quality teaching of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills to enable children to become confident and successful in their literacy. In our teaching, Sketchley Hill follow the New Primary Curriculum 2014. We incorporate cross curricular themes whenever appropriate.

Implementation
Children have daily writing sessions which follow the National Curriculum 2014. Sessions are planned to show review - teach - independent practise – review format. Lessons include discreet and incidental grammar teaching alongside writing for a wide range of purposes and audiences. Children will be taught through a range of techniques including shared and guided writing with personal targets being set from independent writes. Children will be supported to proof read and improve their work according to the progression ladder. 

Handwriting
Handwriting is taught throughout the school and high expectations are set for children’s presentation of work.

​Spelling
Spelling is taught daily in Years 2-6 following the Read, Write Inc. Phonics spelling programme alongside fun activities and discreet teaching of the Common Exception Words and 100 High Frequency Words in Years 1 & 2. 

Impact
The impact on our children is that they have the knowledge and skills to be able to write successfully for a purpose and audience. With the implementation of the writing sequence being established and taught in both key stages, children are becoming more confident writers and have the ability to plan, draft and edit their own work. By the end of key stage 2, children have developed a writer’s craft, they enjoy sustained writing and can manipulate language, grammar and punctuation to create effect. As all aspects of English are an integral part of the curriculum, cross curricular writing standards have also improved and skills taught in the English lesson are transferred into other subjects; this shows consolidation of skills and a deeper understanding of how and when to use specific language, grammar and punctuation.

​Regular assessments, including formative and summative assessments, are used to monitor progress and to quickly identify any child at risk of falling behind and needing additional support. Targeted interventions are then used to close the gap as quickly as possible.
Class teachers keep a record of the children’s reading and spelling assessments and use these to support their planning and target setting. 

Simple advice on helping your child enjoy writing.                                                       
           
Writing is just not easy – and some children find it a chore rather than fun. Some children will happily write for pure pleasure, and others have to be encouraged to do even three lines of writing! So how can you make writing seem just a bit more attractive?                      

Follow your child’s interests:                  
Does your child like football, cooking or making things, designing clothes or playing  with Lego? Whatever their interest, there will be good writing opportunities around it. Perhaps a football diary, instructions or recipes. Use postcards, fancy writing paper or post it notes. Write in coloured pens and pencils . You could encourage them to write messages to family members; even the cat!

Remember TALK comes first!                 
The standard of children’s writing at school is not only how they form letters and  handwrite. They must also be able to express their ideas  clearly. Can they put thoughts in order and discuss what they want to say? All of these depend on speaking. So talk to your child, encourage them to express themselves, listen and respond to their ideas. 
It all helps!

Foundation Stage
​Encourage your child to write their own name, family names, letter sounds and key words.
​          

• Explore writing with paint, chalk, misty windows etc...
• Develop their gross motor skills in controlling their bodies with  care, such as making circles with their arms.
• Ask them to say and try to write simple sentences.

Key Stage 1
​Encourage writing in play and what they do. For example: lists for shopping, record the results for their favourite sports team.

​Engage with their writing through:

• saying what you like – asking where their ideas have come from?
• asking them to show you where a sentence begins and ends.
• help them to organise and sequence their writing by asking them to talk about their ideas or to draw a sequence of simple pictures to show how the main events in a story might be organised. 

Key Stage 2 
​Encourage their personal writing,  for example; a journal or diary.
           

• Talk through their ideas with them before they start to write, for example, prompt them to think about how they intend to tackle a subject.
• Help them to reflect on their writing, particularly the effect they hoped to have on the reader, for example, is the reader sufficiently prepared for the ending?
• Encourage them to read through their work, shaping their sentences for clarity and impact and checking their accuracy. 

How to help your child to write at home