Writing
TEACH NURTURE CELEBRATE
Intent
We have high ambitions for all pupils at St James to become competent readers and writers. We aim for our children to develop a love of reading, writing and discussion. One of our priorities is ensuring that all children are competent readers, and that they enjoy reading for pleasure. We recognise the importance of nurturing a culture where children take pride in their writing, can write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of contexts. We want to inspire children to be confident in the art of speaking and listening and who can use discussion to communicate and further their learning. We believe that all pupils should be taught the key skills and techniques to be able to communicate effectively in their writing. Our ambitious writing curriculum ensures pupils build upon prior knowledge to master writing and develop their ideas.
Implementation
Our Writing curriculum is taught using CUSP (Curriculum by Unity Schools Partnership) resources. More information about this curriculum can be accessed at: https://www.unitysp.co.uk/cusp/ Through the CUSP curriculum, the focus of each lesson is either reading or writing. Children are taught in mixed ability whole class lessons and English is taught every day. Each class has exposure to a range of carefully mapped out texts to ensure a breadth of experiences, authors, texts and themes is addressed across the Primary years. In addition to these texts, there are core poems that each year group will study in depth.
The curriculum is well-sequenced with cumulative units which allow opportunities for children to revisit their learning. Pupils are explicitly taught the purpose for writing and develop conceptual fluency and an ability to write to a high standard.
For pupils with SEND or an EHCP the curriculum will be adapted in order to meet their individual needs. Children will have a clearly sequenced pathway of progression through the curriculum. Scaffolding should offer small-step support for pupils that prompts their thinking to allow them to access the next step in learning. This could include, but is not limited to: resources, questioning, modelled examples, group work, adult intervention, mixed-attainment partners.
Impact
As a result of our English teaching, children are engaged and enjoy English. They use and apply the skills they have learnt into other areas of the curriculum. They are able to make important links between subjects, develop a deep understanding of the wider world and be prepared for success at Secondary school and beyond.
