Writing

WRITING AT CHRISTOPHER PICKERING

“Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s. Stephen King

The Intent, implementation and Impact of our English Curriculum – Writing

Intent

At Christopher Pickering Primary School, we aim to develop fluent, confident and motivated writers who can communicate effectively for a range of purposes and audiences. We prioritise:

  • Securing strong transcription skills (handwriting and spelling) so pupils can focus on composition.
  • Developing clear sentence construction, as this underpins all writing.
  • Using spoken language to support idea formation, vocabulary development and clarity of expression.

Children are encouraged to take pride in the presentation of their work, build a rich vocabulary, and develop independence in planning, editing and improving their writing.

Implementation

Writing is taught through high‑quality texts that model ambitious vocabulary, varied sentence structures and effective authorial choices. Teaching is purposefully sequenced to:

  • Strengthen transcription and sentence-level accuracy before moving into sustained writing.
  • Provide regular opportunities for pupils to rehearse ideas orally.
  • Offer explicit instruction in vocabulary, grammar and whole‑text structure.

Daily feedback enables pupils to understand strengths and areas for improvement. Adaptive teaching ensures that all pupils, regardless of need or starting point, can access the curriculum and achieve well.

Impact

By the end of primary school, children at Christopher Pickering:

  • Write confidently and effectively for the following purposes: to entertain, to express feelings, to inform and to persuade.
  • Demonstrate fluency, accuracy and increasing control over vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure.
  • Plan, draft and edit with growing independence, showing a clear sense of audience and purpose.

With secure foundations, children in upper Key Stage 2 can focus on creativity, writer’s craft and sustained writing, preparing them well for the transition to secondary school.