Writing

Writing at Bottesford Junior School

At our school, we are committed to developing confident, enthusiastic, and capable writers. Our writing curriculum is carefully planned around the National Curriculum and our school’s Long-Term and Medium-Term Plans (LTPs and MTPs). Planning is informed by ongoing assessment, ensuring teaching addresses any gaps and builds progressively on pupils’ knowledge and skills.

Each writing lesson follows a clear structure that includes focused handwriting practice, grammar and sentence starters, opportunities for information gathering, modelled and independent writing, and self-assessment through ‘Must, Should, Could’ pitstops. This consistent approach helps pupils understand the writing process, take ownership of their learning, and make steady progress.

High-quality texts from our Reading Spine are used to inspire writing and model excellent language and structure. These are often linked to wider curriculum topics, encouraging pupils to write for a range of purposes and audiences.

Spelling is taught through Read Write Inc. (RWI) Spelling sessions four times a week, alongside grammar and punctuation, which are both taught discretely and integrated within writing lessons.

We maintain high expectations for presentation and accuracy in all writing. Pupils begin in handwriting books until joins are secure and then move to A4 literacy books. Resources, such as dictionaries and word mats, are used to support independence and vocabulary development.