Writing

Writing

Subject Leader: Mrs H McClure

English Policy

Writing Progression Map

At Seaton Academy, we support the aim for English expressed within the National Curriculum: “to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping our children with a strong command of the spoken and written language and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment”.

We have developed a vibrant and engaging English Curriculum, through which we provide high-quality, consistent learning experiences, to enable all children to develop their skills in Oracy, Reading and Writing.

Our Writing Curriculum

Our Writing curriculum is designed using Drawing Club and Literacy Tree, ensuring all children are exposed to a wide range of genres and high-quality texts, traditional tales and poetry, which capture their imagination and stimulate positive responses to reading, high quality writing and purposeful opportunities for Spoken Language.

Literacy Tree has mapped the coverage of the entire English Programme of Study for KS1 Writing, as well as meeting the needs of the statutory 2021 Early Years Framework. At Seaton Academy, we have ensured objectives are covered more than once and the children have opportunities to apply these several times over the course of a year, as well as consolidating prior knowledge from previous years.

Our curriculum design supports children to think deeply and develop skills with depth. Planning sequences have been personalised and adapted to best suit the needs of all of our children.

Through high-quality texts and the expertise of teaching staff, writing skills are effectively and consistently shared and modelled to demonstrate the ambitious high standards expected of all children. We embed the teaching of Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPAG) in all of our English lessons, holding the belief that these skills are essential in all aspects of life. Spelling opportunities are planned in line with the teaching progression of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

The development of writing is facilitated by meaningful opportunities, whether short or long, which guide children through the writing process at an age-appropriate level. Our carefully selected high quality books offer purposeful opportunities, with the overarching aim that children have real-life audiences and reasons to write.

Drawing Club

Children in Reception are provided with daily opportunities to write recognisable letters, spell words using their knowledge of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds progression and write simple phrases and sentences. Our early writing curriculum is a blended approach using 'Drawing Club' and Literacy Tree. Children study a new text each week, using a range of traditional tales, high-quality picture books and engaging cartoon stories. Through the wide range of texts shared, children are introduced to a trove of vocabulary, developing their spoken vocabulary. Children are encouraged to write about what they draw at an age-appropriate level and teachers use high-quality interactions as part of the learning sequence to develop oracy skills.

Handwriting

Spelling

Children in Reception are taught to spell words using Phase 2 and 3 GPC’s and words with adjacent consonants (Phase 4) with accuracy following ‘Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised’. In Year 1, the children continue to follow ‘Little Wandle’ and initially review Phase 3 and 4, before moving on to being taught to spell words using Phase 5 GPCs with accuracy.

In Year 2, children follow Little Wandle Spelling Progression. The children continue to build on the firm foundations developed using ‘Little Wandle Phonics’, strengthening spelling skills and building vocabulary acquisition. Each week the children study words; word parts; their meanings and how this affects spelling. Lessons throughout the scheme consolidate children’s knowledge of common morphemes such as root formations, prefixes and suffixes.

In KS1, Spelling Homework is sent home each week- linked to the children’s learning in school.

Whole School Writing Root- The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

 

To celebrate Christmas, our whole school fostered a shared learning experience based on 'The Snowman'. The children moved to music, sung, danced and retold the adventure story, giving words to the narrative of the classic wordless picture book. Each Year group engaged with age-appropriate writing outcomes for a range of audiences and purposes.

Take a look at our wonderful whole school display, which demonstrates the amazing progression in writing!

EYFS- Writing Examples

KS1- Writing Examples