Our Writing Curriculum

At Bangabandhu our core focus is for our pupils to become independent and fluent writers who can confidently write for a range of purposes. 

We want our children to... 

• develop a love for writing across the curriculum 
• confidently write for a range of purposes. 
• automatically apply grammar knowledge to their sentences. 
• confidently apply phonetic and spelling pattern rules to their writing. 
• punctuate their writing effectively with the reader in mind. 
• become avid writers who are influenced by their reading. 

How are pupils taught to write at Bangabandhu?

The simple view of writing underpins our writing curriculum. This is where writing is seen as a three-stage process including text generation, transcription and executive function. 

Text generation means the ability to think of ideas, vocabulary and words to form accurate sentences. 

Transcription means the ability to apply spelling and phonetic patterns alongside accurate handwriting. 

Executive function means the ability to plan, draft and review the effectiveness of writing based on the purpose.  

Skilled writers can apply all these aspects within their writing and children are taught sequentially to build upon these skills throughout their time at Globe/Bangabandhu. Pupils are also taught discrete handwriting and spelling lessons daily, 

Writing in Nursery and Reception

In Early Years there are writing opportunities within all areas in our provision including a range of mediums that are available for pupils to select, scribe and mark make across our nursery and reception classrooms. During Read, Write Inc lessons, pupils are taught the phonemes (the sounds that letters make) and how to form the letters accurately. Fortnightly, our pupils are taught shared writing, pupils generate ideas through speaking and listening activities and practice writing their ideas. Writing is taught based on current learning that has taken place for a purpose. Throughout our Early Years, communication, language and comprehension is developed through play and storytelling sessions. 

How are these elements of writing taught in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2?

Writing lessons are based on a core text that is read during our reading fluency sessions. Pupils develop a strong understanding of the text before applying this knowledge to their writing. Writing is taught discretely daily within a six week cycle.  

Weeks 1 and 2:  

Pupils learn sentence construction skills to write simple, complex and multi-clause sentences using accurate grammar terminology. Lessons are focused on developing the understanding of word classes and applying accurate vocabulary and ideas to sentences. Sentences are taught sequentially, and the complexity of sentences are deepened throughout the year and built upon each year.  

Weeks 3 and 4: 

Pupils understand how to construct a coherent piece of writing using plot points to structure their writing into paragraphs. There is an application of the sentences taught in week 1 and 2 into paragraphs. Teachers and support staff scaffold writing effectively so pupils understand how to form a piece of writing from planning points. There is lots of emphasis on sentence construction, vocabulary and composition. Pupils discuss their ideas with their learning partners and as a class to help generate ideas. There is plenty of repetition of sentence writing and editing for accuracy and effectiveness. Over the two weeks, the writing is scaffolded and completed. 

Week 5: 

Based on the prior sentence construction learning and scaffolded writing, pupils now plan and draft their own innovation. Pupils are given plenty of time to select the vocabulary and sentences they would like to use in their writing. They plan paragraphs effectively and use this to draft and edit their own version of the genre. Pupils generate ideas through discussion and peer-to-peer feedback to complete their writing. After writing, re-drafting and editing takes place. 

Week 6:  

The writing lessons are linked to wider areas of the curriculum or analysis of the texts that they have studied. They develop a strong understanding of how to write for a different purpose based on different subject disciplines or beliefs. This is a further opportunity for pupils to apply the previously taught sentence types. They depth of knowledge to be conveyed it planned by the pupils and applied during the drafting process. Teachers support pupils with their application and re-drafting process. Opportunities for discussion further developed and pupils share their writing with one another. 

Assessment of Writing

Writing is assessed daily within writing lessons and termly by class teachers and senior leaders. Independent writing is reviewed and assessed in line with our writing curriculum and national curriculum expectations. Year 6 writing is assessed based on a range of genres that pupils have independently, written, reviewed and published.