Writing gives children a voice. It enables them to communicate ideas, share experiences, express emotions and make a difference in the world around them. Through writing, children develop creativity, confidence and the ability to communicate effectively for a range of purposes and audiences.

Our Vision for Writing

At Bathford Church School, our vision of Grow, Care, Serve, Share is at the heart of our Writing curriculum.

We want every child to become a confident, capable and enthusiastic writer who enjoys writing and understands its purpose. Through high-quality texts, rich discussions and meaningful writing opportunities, children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to express themselves clearly and effectively.

Writing helps children grow academically, creatively and personally. It provides opportunities to reflect, imagine, persuade, inform and inspire. Through writing, children learn to communicate their thoughts, ideas and values with an authentic audience.

What Do Children Learn?

Our Writing curriculum is linked to our whole-school themes of:

• Identity and Diversity
• Social Justice and Equity
• Sustainable Development

Children learn to:

• Write for different purposes and audiences
• Use a wide range of vocabulary
• Apply grammar and punctuation accurately
• Organise and structure their writing effectively
• Edit and improve their work
• Develop their own unique writer's voice

Throughout the school, children experience a wide variety of writing genres, including:

• Stories and narratives
• Poetry
• Non-fiction writing
• Persuasive writing
• Discussion and balanced arguments
• Reports and explanations
• Letters and recounts

As children move through the school, they build upon previous learning and develop increasing independence, fluency and sophistication in their writing.

How Do Children Learn?

Writing is taught through engaging, purposeful experiences linked to high-quality texts, meaningful topics and real-world contexts.

Children are encouraged to write for genuine audiences and meaningful purposes, helping them understand the impact their writing can have beyond the classroom.

We support children to become successful writers through:

• Reading a rich range of high-quality texts
• Explicit teaching of vocabulary, grammar and punctuation
• Teacher modelling and shared writing
• Discussion, drama and oral rehearsal
• Opportunities to plan, draft, edit and improve their work
• Regular opportunities to revisit and build on previous learning

Vocabulary development is a key priority. Children are encouraged to explore ambitious language and use new vocabulary confidently within their writing.

Teachers carefully adapt learning to support and challenge all pupils, enabling every child to make progress and achieve their full potential.

In Key Stage 2, writing is taught through our mixed-age afternoon curriculum model, with learning carefully sequenced to ensure progression in knowledge and skills across the key stage.

Spelling and Transcription

Children develop their spelling knowledge through a structured approach.

• Reception and Key Stage 1 follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme.
• Key Stage 2 children follow the No Nonsense Spelling programme.

These programmes help children develop the spelling, transcription and language skills needed to become successful writers.

What Will Children Take Away?

Through writing, children develop:

• Confidence as communicators
• Creativity and imagination
• A rich and varied vocabulary
• Secure grammar, punctuation and spelling skills
• The ability to write for different purposes and audiences
• Resilience when editing and improving their work
• Pride in presenting their ideas clearly and effectively

We want our children to leave Bathford as confident writers who can communicate their thoughts, ideas and values with clarity, creativity and purpose.

Above all, we want every child to develop and celebrate their own unique voice as a writer.