Writing at Manuden

At Manuden Primary School, we want children to become confident, purposeful and increasingly independent writers.

We teach pupils to write clearly and effectively for a range of audiences and purposes. Children learn to make deliberate choices about vocabulary, sentence structure and organisation, while developing secure spelling, grammar, punctuation and handwriting.

High-quality texts, meaningful experiences and the wider curriculum provide rich opportunities for children to develop ideas and apply their writing skills.

How We Teach Writing

Writing is taught through carefully sequenced units that allow children to explore high-quality examples, develop vocabulary and sentence structures, practise key skills and produce increasingly independent pieces of writing.

Teaching typically includes opportunities to:

• explore and discuss high-quality texts;
• develop vocabulary and generate ideas;
• learn and practise relevant grammar and punctuation;
• plan and organise writing;
• compose and rehearse sentences;
• write for different purposes and audiences;
• edit and improve writing; and
• publish or present finished pieces where appropriate.

Teachers model the writing process explicitly and provide appropriate support while encouraging pupils to become increasingly independent.

Writing in Our Mixed-Age Classes

Our mixed-age curriculum is carefully planned so that pupils encounter a broad range of writing purposes and genres without unnecessary repetition.

Teachers adapt expectations, modelling and support according to pupils’ age, prior attainment and individual needs.

Although pupils within a mixed-age class may share a common text, theme or writing purpose, teaching is carefully matched to the relevant expectations for each year group.

Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation

Spelling, grammar and punctuation are taught both explicitly and through meaningful application in pupils’ writing.

Children are taught to understand how language works and to make increasingly deliberate choices as writers.

Spelling teaching builds on children’s phonics knowledge and develops understanding of spelling patterns, rules, morphology and word origins as pupils progress through the school.

Teachers expect pupils to apply previously taught spelling, grammar and punctuation knowledge when writing independently.

Handwriting and Presentation

We want children to develop handwriting that is fluent, legible and efficient.

In the early stages, children develop secure letter formation alongside their phonics learning. As they progress through the school, they are taught to develop greater consistency, fluency and appropriate joining.

Children are encouraged to take pride in the presentation of their work while recognising that the quality and content of their writing remain the priority.

Supporting All Writers

Teachers use assessment and their knowledge of individual pupils to identify where additional teaching, scaffolding or practice is required.

Support may include:

• additional modelling;
• oral rehearsal;
• vocabulary support;
• sentence stems or writing frames;
• adapted resources;
• targeted spelling or handwriting practice; and
• additional adult support where appropriate.

Support is designed to help pupils access ambitious learning while developing increasing independence.

Assessment

Teachers assess writing through pupils’ work across the curriculum as well as through specific English lessons.

Assessment considers how effectively pupils can apply what they have been taught, including:

• composition and organisation;
• vocabulary;
• sentence construction;
• grammar and punctuation;
• spelling; and
• handwriting.

Teachers use assessment to identify next steps, address gaps and ensure that pupils continue to make progress.

Writing Across the Curriculum

Children have opportunities to apply their writing skills beyond English lessons.

Writing may be used within subjects such as science, history, geography and religious education, enabling pupils to communicate their subject knowledge clearly while applying appropriate writing skills.

Find Out More

If you would like further information about how writing is taught at Manuden Primary School, please contact the school office.

Email: office@manuden.essex.sch.uk
Telephone: 01279 813370