At All Saints, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of writing. We believe that every child should feel confident in expressing themselves, whether through imaginative storytelling, purposeful non-fiction or creative exploration of ideas. Writing is seen as a vital life skill and a powerful tool for communication. 

We strive to ensure that all pupils can write with clarity, creativity and confidence. Through carefully planned teaching, children develop a secure foundation in vocabulary, grammar, phonics and spelling, enabling them to communicate effectively for a range of audiences and purposes. We encourage children to take pride in their work, develop their own writer’s voice and view themselves as successful authors. 

How We Teach Writing at All Saints 

Foundational Skills 

We place a strong emphasis on embedding core writing skills and building upon them progressively. Writing is taught as a cumulative process, where previously learned knowledge is revisited, practised and applied in new contexts. This ensures that learning is secure and that pupils can transfer their skills across different genres and subjects. Through consistent modelling, scaffolding and guided practice, children develop independence and resilience as writers. 

Early Writing Approaches (EYFS & Year 1) 

In EYFS, Drawing Club is used alongside writing lessons to develop imagination, storytelling and early writing skills. This approach supports children in orally rehearsing ideas, expanding vocabulary and linking spoken language to mark-making and early transcription. It builds confidence and creativity as a foundation for later writing. 

    

In Year 1, Curious Quests provide a purposeful and engaging driver for writing. These thematic and enquiry-based experiences immerse pupils in meaningful contexts, inspiring ideas and motivating children to write for a clear purpose and audience. 

Spelling 

Spelling is taught through a structured and progressive scheme that ensures coverage of key spelling patterns, rules and statutory word lists. Regular practice and review are integral to our approach, enabling pupils to retain and apply their knowledge over time. 

Children are given opportunities to explore spelling patterns, identify common errors and apply strategies to improve accuracy. Assessment is used to identify gaps, allowing teaching to be responsive and targeted. Spelling is not taught in isolation but is applied consistently within writing tasks to ensure meaningful use. 

 

Transcription 

Transcription skills are prioritised through a consistent daily routine that builds automaticity and fluency in writing. Each session includes: 

• 5 minutes of spelling revision to reinforce prior learning and improve retention 

• 5 minutes of handwriting practice to develop legibility, consistency and presentation 

• 10 minutes of dictation to apply spelling, grammar and punctuation in context 

This structured approach supports pupils in becoming accurate and fluent writers, reducing cognitive load so they can focus more fully on composition and creativity. 

 

Grammar 

Grammar is taught progressively and in context, rather than as isolated exercises. Pupils learn how grammatical structures function within writing and how they contribute to meaning, clarity and effect. 

Teachers model the use of grammar within sentences and extended pieces, explicitly explaining choices and their impact. Children are given opportunities to practise and apply grammatical concepts within purposeful writing tasks, ensuring that knowledge is embedded and transferable. Sentence structure is explicitly developed through Colourful Semantics, enabling pupils to understand how sentences are constructed, expanded and varied. Misconceptions are addressed promptly, and learning is revisited regularly to secure understanding. 

Vocabulary 

A rich and varied vocabulary is at the heart of effective writing. We place a strong emphasis on the explicit teaching of Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary, enabling pupils to access ambitious language and use it confidently. 

Vocabulary is explored through discussion, oral rehearsal and written application. Pupils are encouraged to experiment with new words, understand their meanings in different contexts and apply them appropriately in their writing. Teachers model high-quality language and create opportunities for pupils to deepen their understanding through reading, discussion and writing. This approach ensures that vocabulary development is both intentional and meaningful. 

 

Writing Process 

Our writing approach follows a clear and structured process that supports pupils at every stage of their development: 

• Model Text: Pupils are introduced to a high-quality text that exemplifies the genre, structure and language features being taught. 

• Modelled Writing: Teachers demonstrate the writing process, thinking aloud to make decisions explicit and show how ideas are developed. 

• Shared Writing: Pupils contribute ideas as the teacher guides the writing, allowing for collaborative construction and discussion. 

• Innovation: Pupils adapt and manipulate the model text, making changes to develop their understanding and confidence. 

• Invention: Pupils independently apply their skills to create original pieces of writing. 

 

We also use Alan Peat sentence structures to develop sentence variety, fluency and control. This supports pupils in crafting more sophisticated sentences and strengthens overall writing quality. The process is adapted to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring clear progression towards independence. 

This process is adapted to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring appropriate support, challenge and progression. It enables pupils to move from supported practice to independent application with increasing confidence. 

 

 

Stimulus 

High-quality stimuli are central to inspiring purposeful and engaging writing. We use a wide range of carefully selected texts, videos and visual prompts to capture pupils’ interest and provide meaningful contexts for writing. 

Stimuli are chosen to expose pupils to rich language, diverse experiences and high-quality examples of writing. They encourage discussion, spark imagination and provide a clear purpose for writing. By immersing pupils in engaging content, we support them in developing ideas and writing with enthusiasm and creativity.