Writing

✅ Writing at Fishburn: At a Glance

At Fishburn Primary School, we want every child to become a confident, capable writer who can communicate clearly, creatively and accurately.

We teach writing through:
✅ high-quality model texts and engaging stimuli
✅ strong teacher modelling and shared writing
✅ purposeful writing with a clear audience and purpose
✅ high expectations for SPaG, handwriting and presentation

Intent

We want all pupils to leave Fishburn able to:

• write confidently for a range of purposes and audiences
• use ambitious vocabulary and sentence structures
• apply spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately
• edit and improve writing effectively
• take pride in handwriting and presentation

English Policy - Final 25_26

How We Teach Writing

Children from Reception to Year 6 receive a daily English lesson. Writing is based around engaging stimuli, often linked to class topics and quality texts to support cross-curricular learning.

The Fishburn Writing Cycle

Across the school, writing is taught through a consistent cycle:

1. Analysing the features of a new text type / introducing the text
2. Sentence level lesson(s) linked to the genre
3. Vocabulary lesson linked to the writing focus
4. Planning
5. Writing
6. Editing and improving

English Policy - Final 25_26

Children write across fiction, non-fiction and poetry, with an emphasis on quality over quantity, supported by effective modelling and focused teaching.

Purpose, Audience and Genre

All writing is taught with a clear:

• Genre – What are we writing?
• Purpose – Why are we writing it?
• Audience – Who are we writing for?

These are shared with pupils and displayed clearly on the Working Wall.

SPaG: Sentence Dig & Key Skills

Sentence Dig (Daily SPaG Starter)

Every English lesson begins with a 5-minute SPaG starter, known as Sentence Dig. This focuses on key grammar learning for each year group and supports accuracy over time.

Key Skills Sessions (SPaG Shed)

Children regularly complete discrete SPaG and spelling practice through:

• SPaG Shed quizzes and teaching slides
• spelling worksheets linked to weekly spelling rules
• application of grammar and punctuation in real writing

✅ Handwriting: LetterJoin

Handwriting is a key priority at Fishburn. Children complete daily handwriting sessions using LetterJoin, supporting consistent formation, joins and pride in written work.

✅ Presentation Expectations

We have high expectations for presentation and pride in learning. Books and routines are consistent across school, supporting children to produce neat, readable work.

Children are taught that editing and improving is distinct from correcting spelling or presentation and helps them make writing more effective and impactful.

Assessment & Impact

Teachers assess writing through ongoing checks and independent outcomes over time.

Assessment includes:

• teacher feedback during writing sessions
• independent writing outcomes
• application of SPaG and spelling rules
• improvements made through editing

We measure impact through:

• confident writing with increasing independence
• clear progression in vocabulary and sentence structure
• accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar
• pride in handwriting and presentation

✅ Writing at Home: Parent & Carer FAQs

How can I support writing at home?

You can support by:

• encouraging your child to write for different purposes (lists, letters, stories)
• practising spellings and handwriting
• discussing new vocabulary and meanings
• praising creativity and effort

Why do children edit their writing?

Editing helps children improve clarity, accuracy and impact. It is a key skill in becoming a strong writer.

✅ Useful Downloads

• English Policy
• Spelling lists / spelling guidance
• LetterJoin information
• Writing expectations by year group