‘If you want to change the world, pick up a pen and write.’

At Handale Primary School, we recognise that learning to write is one of the most important skills a child will develop during their time in primary education. Writing is not only a key tool for communication, it is also central to success across the entire curriculum. Almost all subjects rely on writing to assess understanding, making strong writing skills essential for academic achievement.

From the earliest stages in the Early Years, we place a strong emphasis on early writing and transcription skills. Children are taught to form letters correctly, build fine motor control and begin to express their thoughts through mark-making and early sentence construction. These foundational skills are nurtured through engaging activities that promote confidence, creativity, and independence.

As children progress through school, we continue to develop their ability to write with clarity, purpose and imagination. We teach them how to structure their ideas, use rich vocabular, and apply grammar and punctuation accurately. Transcription skills such as spelling, handwriting and presentation are taught explicitly and practised regularly to ensure fluency and confidence.

Writing also gives children a powerful voice. It allows them to share their ideas, tell stories, express opinions and connect with the world around them. At Handale, we encourage children to write for real audiences and purposes, helping them understand the value and impact of their words.

Our approach to writing is inclusive and aspirational. We support every child to become a confident communicator, capable of expressing themselves effectively and creatively. Writing is not just a subject—it’s a gateway to opportunity, self-expression and lifelong learning.

Through our teaching and learning, pupils develop the skills to become creative, fluent writers with the ability to write clearly and coherently for a range of purposes and audiences.

Book-Led Curriculum

At Handale, we use a book-led approach to our Writing Curriculum. Here is an example of our of our overviews.

Spelling

We apply a systematic approach to spelling. Here is an example of one of our overviews.

Handwriting and Sentence Structure

We ensure that handwriting and sentence structure is integral to our teaching in all year groups. Here is an example of one of our overviews.

Editing and Improving

At Handale, our pupils are encouraged to read their work aloud to an adult and with support will improve their writing e.g. the use of capital letters or adding a missed word.

In KS1, the children develop their understanding of what ‘editing’ is and why we as writers need to develop this skill to improve our ideas. In Year 2, the children begin to develop peer editing skills and are introduced to the idea of making additions and revisions to their writing.

In KS2, the children develop their editing and improving and are given targeted checklists to improve their written work linked to their writing targets. We encourage the children to be reflective when looking at their work and identify how they can improve their initial work. 

Purple Polishing Pens are used across KS1 and KS2 and children independently edit, improve and polish their own work before it is marked. Editing flaps are also used to show improvements made to a piece of written work.

To view our Writing Long Term Plan, please click here

To view Writing Endpoints, please click here.