Writing
Infant
At Christ Church Infant School and Nursery we recognise that writing is integral to all aspects of life and is one of the primary forms of communication. Writing skills underpin most elements of the school curriculum and is an essential life-skill. It allows; pupils to communicate with themselves and others, thoughts to be clarified, emotions to be expressed, opinions to be stated and experiences and explanations to be shared. Given the right environment and stimulus it is an area of English that can give enormous pleasure. We aim to enable our pupils to consider themselves as ‘writers’, to encourage confidence and the motivation to want to write and to have sufficient control over the mechanics of writing to allow for skilful development of the writing process. Considering the fundamental importance of writing in everyday life, we are driven by the need to develop each learner’s writing ability, thus enabling them to play a full part in society. We aim to develop fluency and legibility, to set high expectations of pupils and to give writing a high profile in all its forms.
Intent
At Christ Church Infant School and Nursery we use a range of high quality texts as a stimulus for the children’s writing. We aim to inspire, motivate and develop children’s writing through a range of genres and medias. We aim for children to develop their confidence, fluency and independence in writing though using a range of methods and strategies to enable all pupils to succeed. Children have the opportunity to write for a range of genres, including fiction and non-fiction, and to write in a variety of forms and styles.
_JPG.jpg)
_JPG.jpg)
Implementation
Writing lessons form a journey where children are able to practise a range of skills before creating a final piece. After beginning with a model text, children are introduced to the skills and features that they need to use in their own writing. Teachers then deliver a series of skills based lessons (which incorporate grammar and punctuation) so that children can practise the skills before applying them and writing their own piece independently similar to the model text. Throughout this process children have the opportunity to edit and improve their work.
We also celebrate Writing in a range of ways; through each class choosing a ‘Wonderful Writer’ for the week and clearly identifying why they have been chosen and what skill they have developed. Teachers will also choose work to be displayed on the ‘Star Writers’ wall in each classroom which will be discussed with the children as to why it has been chosen. This allows the children to understand what they have done successfully and motivates the other children in the class to implement these skills to improve their writing.
Impact
It will be evident that Writing is successful at Christ Church Infant School through observations of children enjoying writing both in lessons and through their Writing books. Children of all abilities will succeed in Writing lessons. Children will have and apply a wide range of vocabulary in verbal and written form. Finally, children will be able to demonstrate and apply these skills across a broad range of subjects.
The children at Christ Church will achieve at least age related expectations in writing and be able to use this skill and knowledge to make good progress in other curriculum areas. Children will see themselves as writers and in some instances as potential authors of the future.
Website Links
EYFS
Year 1
Year 2
Junior
We are proud of our writing at Christ Church!
Intent, Implementation and Impact within English
Intent
Writing is a crucial part of the curriculum at Christ Church Junior School. By the end of Year Six, we intend for our children to have developed a love of writing and to be able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and creatively through the written word. We also intend to create writers who can re-read, edit and improve their own writing, and enable pupils to be able to confidently use the essential skills of grammar, punctuation and spelling. At Christ Church, we set high expectations for all our children to take pride in their work and have a fluent, cursive handwriting style alongside allowing their imaginations to flourish.
Implementation
In order to help us to develop confident, enthusiastic writers who can express themselves in a variety of different styles and across a variety of contexts, writing opportunities are planned across the curriculum. This provides our children with regular opportunities to write for a range of purposes and audiences. Writing tasks are specific and meaningful, engaging children in order to illustrate how their writing skills can be applied to real life contexts. Teachers provide children with a skills ladder which outlines the skills they are required to show in that piece of writing.
Children learn spelling patterns at school and they have a list relating to this pattern to learn at home. The children are tested on these each week in school. Phonics intervention sessions take place to ensure children do not have gaps in their learning. Children who need additional support with spelling receive a variety of interventions that are tailored to address their gaps.
Impact
Pupils will make good progress from their own personal starting points. By the end of Year Six, they will be able to write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences. Our pupils will acquire a wide vocabulary and have a strong command of the written word. Most importantly, they will develop a love of writing and be well equipped for the rest of their education and further life.
Useful Links
