Intent

At Cheddar First School, we believe that all pupils should be able to confidently communicate their knowledge, ideas and emotions through their writing. We want pupils to acquire a wide vocabulary, a solid understanding of grammar and be able to spell new words by effectively applying the spelling patterns and rules they learn throughout their time in our school. We want them to write clearly, accurately, coherently, and creatively, adapting their language and style for a range of meaningful contexts, purposes and audiences.

Handwriting, spelling and grammar will be explicitly taught to ensure that children are able to understand the conventions of writing and manipulate language to create effects for the reader.

We believe that all pupils should be encouraged to take pride in the presentation of their writing. From Y1, children will learn the cursive script and will present their writing in variety of ways and write for a variety of genres for both English lessons and the wider curriculum. Through the Talk 4 Writing writing process, children will acquire and learn the skills to plan, draft and refine their written work over time and are encouraged to develop independence in being able to identify their own areas for improvement in all pieces of writing.

Implementation

Talk 4 Writing

• The ‘Talk for Writing’ approach provides an engaging, inspiring and motivating, but structured, sequence of teaching to help children to learn to write.
• High quality texts immerse children in rich language which they can imitate, innovate and then apply in their own writing through the independent application stage.
• Children are exposed to a wide range of texts throughout their school life and can therefore recite and imitate numerous different story types.
• Educational visits related to Talk for Writing themes are widely encouraged to broaden children’s knowledge and understanding of the world. These visits also provide children with a broader range of opportunities, experiences and vocabulary which translate into their writing.
• Spelling and grammar are taught within the teaching sequence.

Oracy 

• Children will write effectively as they are able to talk about their learning.
• Oracy for writing is developed through excellent modelling of high level vocabulary by the teaching team staff alongside the explicit teaching of vocabulary. 

Handwriting

• Regular handwriting practise develops children’s automation and fluency.
• Children take pride in their handwriting and consequently the overall presentation of their work improves.

Impact

Teachers use assessment as an integral part of the teaching and learning process and link it clearly to the children’s next steps. DIRT tasks are used to support misconceptions in children’s learning and further develop their understanding. Teachers plan targeted interventions for children who need further support.