Our Writing Curriculum Statement

At Dodworth St John, writing is a core priority and is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum that enables all pupils to become confident, fluent and purposeful writers. Our approach ensures that pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to communicate effectively in a range of contexts and for different audiences.

Writing is taught through high-quality texts that inspire pupils and provide strong models of language, structure and vocabulary. Units of work are planned to ensure pupils experience a wide range of genres, including narrative, non-fiction and poetry.

We follow a structured teaching sequence that includes:

• Immersion in high-quality texts to build understanding of genre, purpose and audience
• Oral rehearsal and discussion, allowing pupils to develop ideas and vocabulary before writing
• Explicit teaching of grammar, punctuation and sentence structure, taught in context and revisited regularly
• Teacher modelling and shared writing, demonstrating the writing process and authorial choices
• Guided practice, where pupils apply skills with support and feedback
• Independent writing, enabling pupils to demonstrate their learning
• Editing and revising, where pupils reflect on and improve their work

Spelling, handwriting and transcription skills are taught systematically and reinforced through daily practice and application across the curriculum.

Our Writing Progression and Coverage

Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1, our writing curriculum is designed to give pupils a strong foundation in transcription, composition and basic grammar, punctuation and spelling. We aim to develop confident, enthusiastic writers who can communicate their ideas clearly and creatively. Through high-quality texts and purposeful writing opportunities, pupils build vocabulary, sentence structure and early composition skills while developing a positive attitude to writing.

Writing is taught through a structured and progressive sequence, closely linked to phonics and reading. Pupils learn to write for a range of purposes, including stories, recounts, descriptions and simple non-fiction texts. Teachers model writing, explicitly teach sentence structure and grammar, and provide opportunities for pupils to rehearse ideas orally before writing.

In Year 1, pupils focus on forming sentences, using capital letters and full stops, and beginning to use basic conjunctions. In Year 2, pupils develop extended sentences, varied punctuation, expanded noun phrases and simple paragraphing, building towards writing cohesive pieces for different audiences and purposes. Spelling and handwriting are taught discretely and reinforced through daily practice and application in writing.

Pupils are taught to review and improve their writing by checking for sense, punctuation and spelling. Regular opportunities for feedback and editing ensure pupils understand how to improve their work. By the end of Key Stage 1, pupils can write clearly, accurately and with increasing independence, thus providing a strong foundation for writing across Key Stage 2.

Key Stage 2

At our school, writing is taught through a carefully planned sequence of learning that builds pupils’ skills, confidence and love of writing across Key Stage 2. High-quality texts are used as the foundation for learning, providing engaging contexts and models for different genres, vocabulary and authorial techniques. Across each year group, pupils write for a range of purposes and audiences, including narratives, reports, diaries, persuasive texts, letters and speeches, ensuring they experience a broad and balanced writing curriculum.

Writing is taught through a structured process of oral rehearsal, drafting, editing and publishing. Pupils develop their ideas through discussion and sentence-level practice before writing independently. Teachers explicitly teach grammar, punctuation and vocabulary in context, with skills revisited and built upon throughout the year. In Lower Key Stage 2, pupils focus on sentence structure, paragraphing, cohesive devices and descriptive language, while in Upper Key Stage 2 they develop more sophisticated grammatical structures, cohesive devices, formal and informal registers, and advanced punctuation to enhance meaning and impact.

Editing and revising are embedded in the writing process, enabling pupils to reflect on and improve their work – just like a real author. Pupils are taught to evaluate the effectiveness of their writing, make purposeful changes to vocabulary and grammar and proofread for accuracy. This approach ensures that by the end of primary school, pupils are confident, skilled writers who can adapt their writing for different purposes, audiences and contexts.