The National Curriculum (2014) forms the basis for all subject teaching ensuring continuity and progression in an age-related curriculum. In addition, teachers make sure the content is relevant and stimulating by delivering through themes and topics; trying to make as many meaningful cross-curricular links as possible.
The Writing Curriculum at Anthony Bek Primary School has been developed to recognise the importance of English in every aspect of daily life and to develop children’s competence in writing, spelling, handwriting and discussion. As a school, we recognise the importance of nurturing a culture where children take pride in their writing and can clearly and accurately adapt their language and style for a range of contexts. We also want to inspire children to be confident in the art of speaking and listening and to be able to use discussion to communicate and further their learning.
Our intent for Writing is to enable children to:
• Write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
• Develop a love of writing and to be able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and creatively through the written word
• Re-read, edit and improve their own writing to make themselves the best writer they can be
• Confidently use the essential skills of grammar, punctuation and spelling
• Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
• Use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and clearly explain their understanding and ideas within a group setting
• Become competent in the arts of speaking and listening
We ensure that our English teaching and learning provides many purposeful opportunities for reading, writing and discussion. We use a wide variety of experiences, quality texts and resources to motivate and inspire our children at Anthony Bek. All pupils receive a daily Writing lesson, daily Spelling lesson and daily Handwriting lesson. We are making them the best version of themselves that they can be! Teachers also ensure that cross curricular links with our Wider Curriculum subjects are interwoven where appropriate.
Our implementation:
• Teachers create a positive reading and writing culture in school, where both are promoted, enjoyed and considered ‘a pleasure’ for all pupils.
• Teachers follow a cycle of writing: immersion, teaching key writing skills, drafting, editing and publishing.
• Year 1-6, to use the RWI Spelling scheme, delivering daily sessions.
• Daily handwriting sessions following the Letterjoin scheme.
• Pupils are being adventurous with vocabulary choices, looking for ideas from their reading and displays in classroom.
• Vocabulary promoted through displays in class, all curriculum areas, enhancing and encouraging a wider use of vocabulary.
• Vocabulary mats to be used where needed. Thesauruses and dictionaries to be used when appropriate.
• Teaching a range of genres across the school (progressing in difficulty) both in English and other curriculum areas; resulting in pupils being exposed to, and become knowledgeable about, literary styles, authors and genres. They can express preferences and give opinions, supported by evidence, about different texts.
• Displays of writing in shared areas to give children purpose.
The impact and measure of this is to ensure children not only acquire the appropriate age-related knowledge linked to the National Curriculum, but also skills which equip them to progress from their starting points, and within their everyday lives. At Anthony Bek, this is our key for success.
Long term, there will be a great impact to our writers:
• Be confident in the art of speaking and listening and to be able to use discussion to communicate and further their learning.
• Enjoy writing across a range of genres.
• Pupils of all abilities will be able to succeed in all English lessons because work will be appropriately scaffolded.
• Have a wide vocabulary and be adventurous with vocabulary choices within their writing.
• Have a good knowledge of how to adapt their writing based on the context and audience.
• Leave primary school being able to effectively apply spelling rules and patterns they have been taught.
• Make good and better progress from their starting points to achieve their full potential.
Word of the Week
Word of the Week: Children in Years 2 – 6 will be given a new word each week to try and use in their writing and in their conversations. (Year 1 will start this initiative mid year.) The word will be discussed in the classroom and up on display, allowing the children to fully grasp the understanding of the word. Children will also log this in their personal organiser, to promote discussions at home. Children can then earn 'beks' for using this work (correctly) in their writing throughout the week. Please ask your child what their 'Word of the Week' is this week!
At Anthony Bek, we follow the Read Write Inc. Spelling scheme.
This scheme is for children in Years 2 to 6 who have completed Read Write Inc. Phonics and for children who have met the English National Curriculum expectations for reading in Year 2.
The reasoning behind the use of this scheme is as follows:
To enable to allow us meet the spelling expectations of the National Curriculum 2014
To raise standards in spelling
To provide consistency and progression in the teaching of spelling
To help support children to enable them to be more confident at spelling.
Direct teaching underpins the programme. Spelling is taught cumulatively and systematically, with deliberate, focused practice. Constant revision and practice are key to children’s success.
This scheme helps children to learn spellings with common patterns and uses rules in order to help them recall spellings as well as teaching exceptions to these rules. Individual workbooks allow children to practise their spellings and the teaching naturally follows on from the Spell Review part of the RWInc phonics programme taught. Therefore, the children are already proficient at using dots (for individual sounds) and dashes (for digraphs) and prefixes and suffixes can be added to root words to help them to spell with greater accuracy, understanding and confidence.
Children learn the routines and behaviours for each activity, and practise these until they use them automatically. This allows them to focus on what matters most – learning to spell.
The spelling programme: