Writing

At Rock Ferry Primrary School, writing is a vital part of every child’s learning journey. Strong writing skills allow children to communicate their ideas, express their creativity and demonstrate their understanding across the curriculum. We place a high priority on developing confident, capable writers and provide children with regular opportunities to practise and refine their skills from their very first days in school.

Early Years: Building the Foundations for Writing

In the Early Years, writing begins long before children are expected to form letters and words. We focus on developing the key skills that underpin successful writing. Children are given lots of opportunities for mark making and emergent writing, both indoors and outdoors. Through drawing, painting, writing in sand, using chalk, and exploring different tools and materials, children begin to understand that marks can carry meaning.

We have also carefully developed our provision to strengthen gross motor skills, such as climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling and building. These activities help children develop the core strength, coordination and control they need later for fine motor skills and handwriting.

Phonics is introduced through the Little Wandle phonics programme. In Foundation 1, children begin with Foundations for Phonics (Phase 1), where they develop listening, attention and sound discrimination skills. In Foundation 2, children begin Phase 2 Little Wandle phonics, where they start to learn letter–sound correspondences and begin writing simple words and sentences.

Developing Vocabulary and a Love of Language

Developing a rich vocabulary is an important part of becoming a successful writer. Across all year groups, teachers place a strong focus on explicitly teaching and exploring new vocabulary. Children are encouraged to use ambitious and precise words in their speaking and writing, helping them to express their ideas clearly and creatively.

Reading also plays a key role in developing writing. All children are read to every day, allowing them to hear high-quality texts, experience different styles of language and build their understanding of how stories and sentences work. Listening to stories helps children develop imagination, broaden their vocabulary and gain ideas that they can use in their own writing.

Developing Writing Skills Through School

As children move through the school, we continue to build on these foundations.

• Year 1 continue with the Little Wandle phonics programme, strengthening their phonics knowledge to support both reading and writing.

• Years 2–6 focus on developing spelling skills through daily practice using Ed Shed, helping children become confident and accurate spellers.

From Year 1 to Year 6, children take part in a daily writing lesson using the Pathways to Write scheme. This structured approach supports children to become skilled writers through:

• Modelled writing – where teachers demonstrate the writing process

• Shared writing – where teachers and pupils compose writing together

• Focused writing groups – where children receive focused support while developing their own ideas

This approach helps children understand how writing works and gradually builds their independence as writers.

Writing Across the Curriculum

Writing is not limited to English lessons. Children have many opportunities to write across the curriculum, including in subjects such as history, geography and science. This allows them to apply their writing skills in meaningful contexts while deepening their subject knowledge.

Handwriting

Clear, fluent handwriting supports children to write confidently and efficiently. To support this, handwriting is taught daily throughout the school. Regular practice helps children develop correct letter formation, consistency and presentation.

Our Aim

Our aim is for every child to leave our school as a confident, capable and enthusiastic writer. Through high-quality teaching, carefully planned opportunities and consistent practice, we support all children to develop the skills they need to succeed in writing now and in the future.. 

For further information about English at Rock Ferry Primary School, please read our English subject overview below that outlines our intent for English, how we implement this and how we check it is having the desired impact

To find out more about what your child should be able to do in English by the end of the year, please see the objectives year group below.