Writing
Our Intent
At Sholing Junior School, we believe that writing is a vital life skill that enables children to communicate clearly, think critically and express themselves with confidence and creativity. Our writing curriculum for Years 3–6 is designed to ensure all pupils become fluent, purposeful and enthusiastic writers who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life beyond school.
Our approach to writing is underpinned by our core values of Kindness, Curiosity and Success. We encourage children to write with kindness, showing respect for their audience, care in their word choices and pride in their work. Through rich texts, engaging stimuli and meaningful writing opportunities, we foster curiosity, inspiring pupils to ask questions, explore ideas and develop their own voice as writers. We promote success by setting high expectations for all learners and ensuring every child is supported and challenged to achieve their full potential.
By the time children leave Sholing Junior School, they will be resilient writers who take pride in their work, write with confidence and clarity, and view writing as a powerful tool for learning and self-expression.
Implementation
Our writing curriculum is built around high-quality texts that engage, challenge and inspire pupils. Units of work are carefully planned to cover a wide range of genres and purposes across Years 3–6, ensuring breadth, progression and repeated opportunities to apply key skills. Lessons follow a clear learning journey that supports children to generate ideas, capture and develop content, draft, edit and refine their writing.
Writing is explicitly taught and modelled, with teachers demonstrating the writing process and making expectations clear. Grammar and punctuation are taught both discretely and within the context of writing, enabling pupils to understand not just what to use, but why and how to use it effectively.
Spelling is taught through Spelling Shed, providing a structured and progressive approach to spelling patterns, rules and statutory word lists. Pupils engage with spelling through a combination of direct teaching, interactive practice and regular application in their writing. Opportunities are provided throughout the week to revisit and embed spelling, supporting long-term retention and confidence.
Our Aims
At Sholing Junior School, we aim to:
- deliver engaging and motivating writing opportunities driven by high-quality texts
- guide and nurture children through their individual writing journeys
- develop confident spellers who can apply spelling rules and patterns accurately
- teach pupils to adapt language, tone and style for a range of audiences and purposes
- ensure a secure understanding of grammar and punctuation and its effective application
- promote fluent, legible handwriting through a consistent Kinetic Letters approach