Writing Intent

Our intent is for all children at Wincobank Nursery & Infant Academy to develop creativity, understanding and enjoyment of the English language through engaging, creative and carefully crafted lessons.

Seven Steps to Writing

Each year group follows our 7 Steps to Writing sequence, where children are introduced to an array of genres and taught the necessary skills explicitly to be successful. The sequence incorporates key elements of SPaG, Planning, Drafting and Edit and Improving to enable children to complete independent, extended pieces of writing.

To begin each sequence, children are provided with a high-quality model, and an ‘end goal’ for the end of each unit of writing. We use an array of model texts, that are related to the theme where possible to support children in their understanding and provide opportunities for applying their learning. Across each writing unit, we encourage the children to continually expand their vocabulary, focussing on aspirational and ambitious language.

Within each genre of writing, we ensure pupils are taught the features of each text type and have opportunities to apply their learning in a range of contexts. Following this, we ensure the children have an opportunity for ‘independent application’ through an extended piece of writing as well as opportunities to edit and improve.

Each class has a magpie wall and a magpie book which is used to enhance vocabulary, alongside a working wall which provides visual stimulus and resources for the pupils.

Writing Overview/Genres

In each year group, the children are taught the necessary skills, from the national curriculum, to develop into confident, creative and independent writers, who have the knowledge and skills to write an array of genres. These skills are developed and advanced each year as the children move through school.

Learners with English as an additional language or those with additional needs are given a range of visual supports to aid their writing, including communicate-in-print word mats, to ensure they can achieve within all lessons.

Teachers consistently ensure that pupils have access to good models of spoken language through the use of mixed ability groups and correct adult use of Standard English.

Speaking and Listening

At Wincobank NI Academy, we understand the importance speaking and listening plays in developing our pupils’ communication skills and in turn their ability to communicate with the written word. Teachers plan opportunities for Oracy at regular intervals across the writing sequence; children are encouraged to share thoughts, articulately, presenting and sharing their work to the class and to a wide range of audiences.

 Voice Brigantia

We are currently working collaboratively with Brigantia Learning Trust on the Voice Brigantia project, where we are developing the use of Oracy across all areas of the curriculum.

  
We understand and appreciate the huge impact that families have on the progress of children at school. We have created a range of home learning sequences of writing for children and families to complete throughout the pandemic.