Writing Curriculum

At Woodley Primary School, writing is at the heart of everything we do. Children are encouraged to write for a variety of audiences and in a variety of styles not only in English, but across the whole curriculum. We are especially keen to encourage children to write creatively, to encourage a love of language and to give them a valuable channel for the expression of feelings.
Across our school, each class has a daily English lesson providing children with opportunities to develop their skills in sentence construction, punctuation and grammar. We use the ‘Talk for Writing’ approach where children orally rehearse and practise a range of different genres and texts. Through the use of story maps and shared writing, children explore new and challenging vocabulary, enabling them to become confident and creative writers.
The ‘Talk For Writing’ programme of study which we have created at Woodley, guides our children to reach their end points, where along the journey they become equipped with a variety of writing skills. Our aim is to not only ignite a passion for writing, but it is to also ensure that every child has the foundations they need to become lifelong learners, who can access the world around them.
Using a wide range of high quality texts, we aim to engage and inspire our children to write with creativity and imagination. We make the most of writing opportunities across the foundation subjects, including trips and visitors to school, to embed and further develop writing skills. Alongside ‘Talk For Writing’, EYFS use puppets and toys to bring stories to life and to inspire our youngest learners to engage with writing and mark making.
Curriculum Progression
Teaching of Spelling
We use Spelling Shed’s approach to spelling which involves the relationship between sounds and written symbols as well as using morphology to help spell through meaning.
The carefully selected word lists and engaging activities provide opportunities to incorporate phonics and meaning to strengthen spelling skills and build vocabulary acquisition.
There is a 60 minute lesson plan each week which is taught over three lessons culminating in a ‘hive game’ where the 10 spellings that week are assessed.

Pupils Voice
“I loved the story Beegu because she was friendly and caring. I felt sorry for her because she had lost her mum and dad.”
Year 1 pupil
“Beegu was lonely and she didn’t know where to go. I was pleased when the children played with her and gave her a hula hoop. I was a happy ending when her parents came to get her. “
Year 1 pupil

“I loved the Tear Thief because she is so kind and gentle. I wish I could be as quiet as her!”
Year 2 pupil
“I liked the Tear Thief because of all the great vocabulary. I used the words silent as smoke and tantrum!”
Year 2 pupil

“I loved Alma because it was an animated clip so a bit different. It was full of suspense so I was always wondering what would happen next!”
Year 6 pupil

Examples of children’s writing
Year 1 – Beegu
Beegu is a very smart and cute creature but nobody seemed to understand her. She is a sunny yellow colour and her arms are a perfect size for cuddling.
Beegu has short stumpy legs and a round chubby belly. When the nice children gave her a red hula hoop her antennae flew up!
Year 2 – Tear Thief
As she gazed out of the window she saw the midnight cat lolloping down the dark street.
Quietly, the little girl tiptoed out of her cosy, warm bed and wandered over to the large, open glass window.
Year 6 – Alma
The wooden door opened and the bell jingled calmly as if it was desperate to entice a new victim!

