English

At Woodsetts Primary School, we want every child to see themselves as an author. Writing is central to learning and communication, and we are committed to helping children write with accuracy, creativity and confidence.

Our writing curriculum is taught through the Novel Study approach, where high-quality texts inspire children to explore language, structure, style and theme. This approach immerses children in stories and ideas, helping them to develop their own voice as writers while deepening their love for reading.

Our Intent

We aim to ensure that every child:

• Learns to write with purpose, clarity and imagination.
• Builds a strong command of grammar, punctuation and spelling in context.
• Develops a wide vocabulary and the ability to choose words for effect.
• Understands how authors craft writing and applies these techniques to their own work.
• Produces high-quality outcomes across fiction and non-fiction genres.
• Becomes reflective and resilient writers who take pride in their work.

 Our Approach: The Novel Study

Writing at Woodsetts is inspired by carefully chosen novels which act as the stimulus for all writing units.

The Novel Study approach:

• Uses high-quality texts as the foundation for learning.
• Teaches writing techniques in context, as children see how authors use them effectively.
• Develops skills progressively within and across each novel study.
• Encourages immersive, creative opportunities that bring stories to life.
• Links writing to wider curriculum subjects (history, geography, PSHE) wherever possible.
• Fosters high expectations, originality and independence in writing.

Each unit follows an arc of learning, planned backwards from the final writing outcome. Children draft and refine their work across the week, publishing final pieces in their Portfolio Book, which follows them through school and showcases their progress as writers.

 Our Key Concepts

The teaching of writing is underpinned by recurring concepts that spiral from EYFS to Year 6:

• Composition – planning, drafting, editing and publishing.
• Grammar and Punctuation – taught explicitly but always applied in context.
• Vocabulary Development – widening word choices to improve style and effect.
• Audience and Purpose – understanding how to adapt writing for different forms and readers.
• Creativity and Voice – developing originality, expression and style.

 Genres of Writing

Across each year group, pupils cover a broad range of genres, both fiction and non-fiction, including:

• Narrative writing
• Poetry
• Playscripts
• Letters
• Reports
• Recounts
• Explanations
• Persuasion and balanced arguments
• Discussion texts

Genres are revisited and built upon each year to ensure progression and mastery.

 Writing in EYFS

In EYFS at Woodsetts Primary, children begin their journey as writers through a balance of daily teaching, cross-curricular opportunities and continuous provision. Our approach builds directly on the EYFS Skills Progression for Writing, ensuring a clear pathway towards Key Stage 1 expectations. We also follow our Novel Study approach in EYFS. English teaching includes:

• Daily English Lesson: Every day, children take part in an English session where early writing skills are taught explicitly. This includes mark making, letter formation, sentence writing, and opportunities for children to apply their phonics knowledge in context.
• Phonics Link (Little Wandle): Writing in EYFS is closely linked to our Little Wandle phonics programme. As children learn new sounds, they are given meaningful opportunities to use them in writing, developing both spelling and confidence.
• Letter Formation: Correct letter formation is taught systematically, following the handwriting progression outlined in our EYFS framework. Teachers model how to hold a pencil, form letters correctly, and write with increasing control.
• Skills Progression: The progression document sets out clear milestones from Nursery through to the end of Reception. This ensures that children build steadily from early mark making to independent sentence writing, with secure foundations for spelling, grammar and handwriting.
• Cross-Curricular Writing: Writing opportunities are embedded across the curriculum—for example, writing labels in science investigations, recording findings in maths, or creating stories in role play areas.
• Continuous Provision: Carefully planned writing opportunities are threaded through the environment. Children can access mark-making areas, role-play spaces, and creative corners where they apply and rehearse their writing skills in purposeful, child-led ways.

By the end of EYFS, children are well-prepared for Year 1, having developed confidence, control, and enjoyment in writing.

 Writing and PSHE

The novels we choose are carefully curated to link with our PSHE pillars:

• Relationships: Children explore healthy relationships, respect for others, emotions and empathy through stories.
• Living in the Wider World: Texts provide opportunities to learn about diversity, democracy, responsibility and protecting the environment.
• Dreams, Aspirations and Beliefs: Pupils develop resilience, growth mindset and curiosity about the wider world through thought-provoking narratives.

We explore themes within the novels to help draw out key aspects of our PSHE Pillars including the British Values.

 Knowledge and Vocabulary

• Vocabulary is taught explicitly in every unit.
• Children revisit key words regularly through retrieval tasks.
• Vocabulary mats and knowledge organisers are provided for key texts.
• Novel Study texts are chosen to extend cultural capital and enrich children’s language.

 Assessment in Writing

• Writing is assessed every term using our in-house moderation materials and annotated exemplars.
• FS2, Y1, Y3, Y4, Y5: assessed using our own moderation grids.
• Y2 and Y6: assessed against the statutory frameworks.
• Termly Moderation: in-house sessions ensure consistent judgements across school.
• Portfolios: children publish a final piece each cycle, showing progression across their school career.

 Pupil Voice in Writing

Our subject leaders collect pupil voice from our children to see how they feel about writing and the novels we use. Some recent examples include:

• “I like writing stories because I can use ideas from the books we read.” – Year 2
• “Novel Study helps me think about how the author wrote and then I can try it in my own writing.” – Year 5
• “I like publishing my writing in my portfolio because I can see how I’ve improved.” – Year 4
• “Writing is fun because we get to be creative and show our ideas.” – Year 1

 Useful Links for Families

BBC Bitesize – Writing– Tips and activities for improving writing skills.

Pobble 365– Inspiring daily writing prompts.

National Literacy Trust– Support and resources for families.

BookTrust– Recommended books to share at home.

At home, families can support writing by:

• Reading widely and talking about books.
• Encouraging children to keep a diary or journal.
• Writing letters, shopping lists or stories together.
• Celebrating children’s published work in their portfolio books.