Writing

Intent

At Bromet Primary School, we strive to nurture confident and creative writers who can express their ideas clearly and effectively for various purposes and audiences. We aim for our pupils to develop a love of writing, fostered through opportunities to explore a wide variety of styles across the curriculum.

Our goal is to support all children in becoming fluent and accurate spellers, using Monster Phonics in EYFS and KS1 and the Superhero Spelling scheme in KS2. We emphasize the importance of neat handwriting, with all children transitioning to blue handwriting pens in Year 3 to promote consistency and pride in their work.

We also focus on teaching grammar terminology to equip children with the skills needed to apply grammar effectively in their writing and prepare them for statutory assessments. By embedding writing within our thematic, book-centered curriculum, we ensure children see the connection between reading and writing, inspiring their creativity and enhancing their learning.

Implementation

• Writing Across the Curriculum:
  Children write in a variety of styles, such as narratives, non-chronological reports, persuasive letters, and poetry. Writing opportunities are embedded throughout the curriculum, giving children meaningful contexts to apply their skills.

• Phonics and Spelling Development:
  Phonics is taught systematically in EYFS and KS1 through Monster Phonics, while KS2 pupils focus on spelling patterns and strategies using the Superhero Spelling scheme, ensuring they become confident and accurate spellers.

• Focus on Handwriting:
  From Year 3, all children use a blue handwriting pen, creating a shared standard for presentation and encouraging pride in their work.

• Daily Grammar Starters:
  Grammar is taught explicitly through daily starters, ensuring pupils build their skills incrementally and are confident in applying grammatical knowledge in their writing.

• Flexible Planning:
  Teachers use resources from the Literacy Tree and Literacy Shed to plan lessons but adapt them to suit the needs of their cohort. This flexibility ensures lessons remain engaging, accessible, and challenging for all learners.

• Publishing and Presentation:
  Writing is celebrated through opportunities for instant publishing and presenting work in diverse ways, such as displays, mini-books, or posters. This approach gives children pride in their work and a sense of accomplishment.

• Feedback and Editing:
  Children receive both written and oral feedback, and from KS1, they edit their work using the purple pen approach, fostering independence and critical thinking in their writing.

• Writing Non-Negotiables:
  Clear expectations ensure consistency across the school. These "non-negotiables" provide a foundation for high-quality writing lessons, helping children meet and exceed standards.

Impact

The impact of our writing approach is evident in the confidence, creativity, and skill with which our pupils approach writing tasks.

• Love for Writing:
  Pupils take pride in their work, often showcasing it through displays or presentations. Themed book-based planning helps children build connections between texts, inspiring creativity and deepening their understanding.

• Fluent Writers:
  Through consistent teaching of grammar, spelling, and handwriting, children write fluently and accurately. Grammar starters ensure they can confidently apply grammatical knowledge, while structured spelling programs strengthen their word-building skills.

• Independence and Reflection:
  The editing process, supported by the purple pen approach, encourages pupils to critically assess their work and make meaningful improvements. This fosters resilience and independence as writers.

• High Expectations:
  Writing non-negotiables and clear planning structures have created a culture of high expectations, where all children understand the importance of producing their best work.

• Celebrating Success:
  Published work is celebrated, whether through instant publishing, displays, or sharing with peers. This recognition motivates pupils and instils pride in their achievements.

• Preparation for the Future:
  By embedding grammar terminology, teaching spelling systematically, and fostering writing fluency, Bromet pupils are well-prepared for statutory assessments and future writing challenges. They leave school with the skills and confidence to write for different purposes and audiences, ready to succeed in the next stage of their education.

• Confident Writers: Our pupils consistently perform above local and national averages, showcasing strong writing skills. For example, 83% of our children achieve the Expected Standard in writing, compared to 72% locally and nationally. This demonstrates the success of our strategies in supporting pupils to meet and exceed expectations.