Writing

Our Writing Flow Chart outlines key aspects of writing teaching and learning in KS1 and KS2 at Aspin Park Academy.

Our writing progression document.

Our Literacy approach is centred around carefully chosen text  to inspire children and enthuse their learning. In writing we follow the three C’s approach, where by children Collect, Connect and Create. This is delivered through our pedagogical approach where we ‘sow the seed’  and writing missions are introduced to children.  Children are given a purpose for their writing and are introduced to an audience.  

Pedagogical Approach

We ‘engage’ the children in their writing mission by encouraging talk around the ‘mission’ and unpicking WAGOLs (what good one looks like) collecting ideas all the  time.  All writing is linked to the wider curriculum, a class novel or a real experience.  The children begin to collect vocabulary, sentences, contextual ideas. 

We ‘develop’ the skills to be used in the ‘mission’ through: Teaching and revisiting grammar, spelling and handwriting daily. Through questioning and application. We enable children to exploring the style and structure of texts for specific purposes. The children then connect all their ideas and gathered information to be able to write. 

Modelling is a key part of the writing to ensure children view examples and edit/review to improve at all stages. We model vocabulary into sentences and in to context to ensure that children have modelled sustainable pieces of writing they can create. 

We ‘harvest’ writing by giving children independent writing opportunities, termly.  Writing ‘missions’ are published as final pieces, displayed in classrooms and shared with the specified audience.     

Children’s writing opportunities are carefully thought out to make a positive impact on the world, core values and our local and global community. 

Intent

At Aspin Park Academy, we will support all children to be great communicators through their writing.  We want our children to get enjoyment from their writing and to be carried away by the creative possibilities when they put pen to paper.   We will encourage children’s enthusiasm and engagement in writing by making teaching relevant to children – writing will be linked to their wider learning (in or out of school.) We teach children to re-read, edit and improve their own writing, and to confidently use the essential skills of grammar, punctuation and spelling.   

Implementation

Children will have the opportunity to write for a wide range of purposes: great writing is not just for English lessons. Writing is a skill that is used and taught across the curriculum; engaging teaching, KUNCU strategies and the RWI scheme are the key tools used to support the teaching of writing at Aspin.  Grammar skills  are taught or revisited in every writing lesson.  Writing ‘missions’ are shared with children so that they have a clear idea of why they are writing, their audience and the skills that they will need to make their writing their best.  Through weekly talking homework and class discussion, we encourage lots of talk around writing, in and out of school, to stimulate curiosity, a rich vocabulary and creative ideas.  .  Children are given the opportunity to write an independently every term to demonstrate their application of skills and how embedded and sustainable their writing skills are.  

Impact

Pupils will make good progress every year from their own starting points. By the end of Year Six they will be able to write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of purposes and audiences. Our children will acquire a rich 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 

Children say… 

"I enjoy editing my writing and seeing the published piece displayed. I find writing creative and enjoy the different types of writing we do which are purposeful".