Harworth Church of England Academy

Writing

At Harworth Church of England Academy we know that great readers make great writers and so it has been important for us to really forge that link. We designed our Long Term Plan so that reading and writing could be immersed in every curriculum subject. With this in mind the writing the children produce in every curriculum subject is just as important as the writing in their English books.

Each term has the foci of one or two books and the Educational Visit which the children go on at the start of term has the purpose of immersing the children in a topic and therefore bringing out the best writing from experience.

Handwriting

We use a style called Continuous Cursive.  All children learn this right from Foundation Stage through to Year 6.  Click here for a useful guide to help support your child at home. 

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Statutory requirements for the teaching and learning of English are laid out in the National Curriculum English document and Early years Foundation Stage document.

In the Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) children should be given opportunities to:

  • speak and listen and represent ideas in their activities;
  • use communication, language and literacy in every part of the curriculum;
  • become immersed in an environment rich in print and possibilities for communication.
  • Have a variety of opportunities for mark making, guided and independent writing.

At Key Stage One children should write independently and with enthusiasm. They will have experience of writing narrative and non-fiction. They should use language to explore their own experiences and imaginary worlds.

At Key Stage Two children should learn to change the way they write to suit different situations, purposes and audiences and learn how the structure of language works.

 Approaches to teaching writing

  • Phonics are taught daily in FS and KS1 following Letters and Sounds supplemented with additional application activities. Phonics is taught in KS2 on a needs led basis. All FS children are provided with opportunities that encourage and celebrate emergent writing. Throughout the school children will participate in both shared and guided writing sessions led by the class teacher. Opportunities for independent and extended writing will be provided through the English curriculum and through cross curricular contexts.

Many lessons include and depend on written communication.  We want our students to develop increasing confidence and competence in writing so that they are able to:

  • write in a widening variety of forms for different purposes e.g. to interpret, evaluate, explain, analyse and explore;
  • develop ideas and communicate meaning to a reader using wide-ranging and technical vocabulary and an effective style, organising and structuring sentences grammatically and whole texts coherently;
  • present their writing clearly using accurate punctuation, correct spelling and legible handwriting.