From the Early Years to Year 6 teachers plan for a wide range of writing opportunities using high-quality texts. Children learn how to write for a variety of purposes and audiences and in a range of styles. The same high expectations of writing outcomes are applied to writing across the curriculum.
The children are taught both Transcription and Composition including a focus on spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Teaching strategies include analysing texts to identify successful writing in different genres, editing and improving first drafts, applying discreetly taught grammar to create impact for the reader. Feedback reflects the high expectation on spelling and punctuation. Children are taught to apply the spellings and punctuation they have been learning to all their written work.
Children are taught spelling through the Read, Write, Inc programme from Reception. Also, in year 2 to year 6 a whole school spelling programme is taught through discrete lessons. An online spelling programme is used as an intervention to support children who struggle with spelling.
It is important that children are taught how to hold a pencil correctly and use it to form letters and digits correctly during the Early Years. This teaching is supported through the Read, Write, Inc programme. Children are introduced to joined writing and taught how to join letters once they have mastered correct letter formation so by the time most children start Key Stage Two they are able to write fluently.The school uses a progressive handwriting scheme to build automaticity.