“You can make anything by writing.”

– C.S. Lewis

Intent

Writing in primary schools is a crucial aspect of a child’s overall development and academic success. It is a fundamental skill that supports learning across all subjects and contributes to a child’s ability to express ideas, think critically and engage with the world around them.

At Firs Primary School, we aim to teach children to write with fluency and confidence while equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. By cultivating strong writing skills early on, we give children the tools they need to succeed in school and in life. We understand the crucial role that reading has in the development of effective, creative writers. Fostering the link between reading and writing ensures that children write with clarity, structure and purpose.

Implementation

At Firs Primary School, writing is taught systematically and progressively using the Ready Steady Write scheme, which provides a clear and structured approach across all year groups. This approach empowers teachers to focus on high-quality teaching through children’s high-quality literature. It provides a structured and engaging approach to teaching writing, helping children develop key skills such as sentence construction, punctuation, grammar and creativity. The units of work focus on engaging, vocabulary rich texts, with a wealth of writing opportunities.

Ready Steady Write builds on four stages of teaching:

• Immerse
• Analyse
• Plan
• Write

Teaching Sequence & Structure

• Daily sentence accuracy work is completed in KS1 and KS2, with a firm focus on accuracy of spelling, punctuation and letter formation.
• Daily writing lessons follow the Ready Steady Write structured approach, which includes immersion, oral rehearsal, structured modelling, guided writing, and independent application.
• Progressive genre coverage ensures pupils engage with a range of text types (e.g., narratives, recounts, instructions, explanations, reports, and persuasion) with increasing complexity as they move through school.
• Explicit teaching of grammar, punctuation, and spelling (GPS) is embedded within writing lessons to ensure skills are systematically developed and applied within context.
• Handwriting instruction follows a structured approach, ensuring that pupils progress from early letter formation to fluent, joined handwriting by the end of KS1 and develop stamina for extended writing in KS2.
• Vocabulary development is prioritised, with explicit teaching of ambitious language and opportunities to apply new words in context.
• Model texts and shared writing provide strong exemplars, guiding pupils in applying effective writing techniques.
• Independent writing and editing skills are developed through structured drafting, revising, and proofreading activities.

Progression & Assessment

• The Ready Steady Write progression framework ensures clear skill development from EYFS to Year 6.
• Writing is assessed using Ready Steady Write assessment criteria, ensuring a consistent and rigorous approach to monitoring progress.
• Moderation and standardisation across year groups and with other schools in the trust ensure consistency in assessment judgements.
• Pupils receive structured feedback using teacher modelling and peer/self-assessment strategies to improve writing outcomes.

Writing Across the Curriculum

• Pupils apply their writing skills across subjects such as history, science, and RE, ensuring meaningful and purposeful writing opportunities beyond English lessons.
• High expectations for writing presentation, structure, and accuracy extend into all areas of learning.

Impact

The impact of our writing curriculum is evident in:

• Fluent and independent writers who can confidently apply their writing skills for different purposes and audiences.
• Improved grammar, punctuation, spelling, and handwriting, ensuring technical accuracy and fluency in writing.
• A rich and varied vocabulary, enabling pupils to express ideas clearly and effectively.
• Engaging and high-quality writing outcomes, demonstrating creativity, depth, and coherence.
• Consistently strong attainment and progress, measured through termly writing assessments, moderation, and end-of-key-stage outcomes.

We measure impact through:

• Termly Ready Steady Write assessments to track progress and identify next steps.
• Book monitoring and pupil voice feedback to ensure pupils are engaged and progressing.
• End-of-year writing outcomes, ensuring all pupils meet or exceed age-related expectations.

By the time pupils leave Firs Primary School, they will have developed the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed as writers in secondary education and beyond.