English - Writing

Writing Intent

At Brackenbury, we strive to create a love of writing. Our aim is for the children to understand the importance of writing purposefully, demonstrating a clear understanding of their chosen audience, and explore and learn a wide range of new vocabulary. The children learn to write for a wide range of audiences and purposes, applying their skills across the wider curriculum and within different contexts. At Brackenbury, we will ensure that our students leave school with an ability to communicate effectively in writing- and to enjoy being able to express themselves in this way. This links to our core ethos and aim of developing lifelong learners and encouraging self-expression.

Writing Implementation and Impact

Implementation

Writing is taught daily in English lessons, which are planned in a sequence of lessons which build upon previous skills and knowledge. Each unit is anchored to a high quality text chosen to inspire and provide an excellent stimulus for writing, which leads to an extended piece of work demonstrating skills learnt. Units are based on a wide range of different text types, including non-fiction and poetry, as well as fiction texts that reflect both British values and the diversity of our local community.

Vocabulary is taught through ‘Word of the Week’ where children are introduced to higher level vocabulary, as well as through the high quality texts that underpin each unit of work. This is introduced to both children new to English and to those who already have an excellent vocabulary, to challenge and inspire.

Spelling in EYFS and Year 1 is taught during our daily phonics lessons, and are based on the sounds learnt through our phonics scheme, Essential Letter and Sounds. From Year 2, spellings patterns are taught in additional spelling lessons, based on the National Curriculum. These spelling patterns are also practised through weekly spelling homework.

Handwriting is taught in discrete lessons, beginning with fine motor skills in EYFS before learning to form letters correctly. Once this is secure, children learn to join and become fluent writers.

We aim to foster a love for writing and celebrate examples of this through special displays and naming a ‘Writer of the Week’. We also use our writing to make links across the school and to the wider community, including the Community Senior Letters project.

At Brackenbury, children apply the skills they have acquired in English to writing in all subjects across the curriculum. If you would like to know more about the National Curriculum for English, please visit:National Curriculum for Writing

Impact

Every child will leave Brackenbury with the skills of an excellent writer who:

Has the ability to write with fluency, thinking about the impact their writing will have on the reader
Has an extensive, sophisticated vocabulary which they use to add and extend details and description.
Is able to use organisational devices to structure their work within a range of text types
Can use a variety of sentence structures, varying the ways that they start and extend their sentences
Has an understanding of grammar terminology and is able to apply this to their own writing
Ensures that their writing in well presented, punctuated, spelled correctly and neat.
Re-reads, edits and improves their writing so every piece of work they produce is to the best of their ability
Has a passion for writing

Progression of skills and knowlege

Our Writing subject progression of skills and knowledge document gives further information about what the children are taught in this subject by year group.

Writing progression of skills and knowledge

Writing Long term planning

Our Writing long term overview details what texts children are writing by year group.

Writing long term overview

Individual year group plans can be viewed on the Year group planning page.

Handwriting at Brackenbury

At Brackenbury, we teach children to form letters based on the Enhanced Letters and Sounds program. The videos below demonstrate how children are taught to form these letters, to help you support your child to practise at home.

Zig Zag Monster Letters - z, v, w, x

/i/video/Zig_Zag_Monsters.mp4

One Armed Robot Letters - r, b, n, m, h, p, k

/i/video/One-Armed_Robots_Letters.mp4

Long Ladder Letters - l, t, i, j, u, y

/i/video/Long_Ladder_Letters.mp4

Curly Caterpillar Letters - c, a, o, d, g, qu, e, s, f

/i/video/Curly_Caterpillar_Letters.mp4

English National Curriculum

If you would like to know more, please visit National Curriculum for English.