Writing

At Winston Way Academy, we believe that writing is an essential part of the curriculum. We aim to provide children with the appropriate writing skills to allow them to succeed in future life. Our Writing Curriculum is built on four key principles: 

Developing pupils’ metacognitive and critical thinking skills  

• Teachers authentically model the writing process and thinking aloud 
• Critical literacy skills are incorporated into the curriculum  
• Pupils become life-long readers and writers 
• Links to other curriculum areas, where appropriate, reflect important real-world knowledge 

Ensuring the highest expectations for the attainment and progress of all pupils  

• Progression in learning is mapped across units, year groups and key stages 
• A diverse representation of high-quality texts are used as models and examples 
• Teachers have conviction that every child has something worthwhile to write about 

Supporting all pupils in developing pleasure for writing and discovering their own unique writing voice 

• Pupils have independence and autonomy 
• Pupils have choice to write about what interests and excites them, and reflects their own lives 
• A wide range of opportunities are provided for pupils to write for authentic purposes and audiences 
• Planning acknowledges and values pupils’ own diverse funds of knowledge  

Developing a secure understanding of the writing process  

• The writing process is recursive and not linear 
• Functional grammar is taught within context 
• New objectives are introduced in small, manageable steps 
• Pupils have frequent opportunities to write at length 
• Pupils understand that writing is a process of drafting, editing, and reviewing their writing  

At Winston Way Academy, we use the United Learning Primary English Curriculum as a source of ideas. Plans are carefully tailored to meet the needs of our children, taking into account their starting point and experiences. At the start of each unit, we aim to engage children by planning opportunities to immerse them in the text. The writing process will include analysing key features of a text, building and sharing vocabulary, practising relevant skills, writing, and editing and finally, publishing the writing to celebrate. As pupils progress through each year group, they will produce a variety of outcomes: a range of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry allows pupils to think creatively about their composition, as well as learning the key elements of a variety of genres.  

Through our carefully planned and sequenced English curriculum, pupils will make good progress from their own personal starting points. By the end of Year 6, 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 in Key Stage 3, 4 and beyond.