Writing at Brookland Junior School

Our Curriculum Intent 

Writing is a key part of learning in English. At Brookland Junior we want our children to become confident, fluent writers who can write for a range of purposes and audiences in all curriculum subjects. We want children to be able to use a variety of sentence types, choose effective vocabulary and spell accurately, considering the impact of their writing on the reader. To be a good writer, children need to read widely and speak fluently and confidently in sentences. We encourage our children to 'read like a writer and write like a reader'. Our children are enthusiastic about their writing and enjoy English lessons.

Our Curriculum Implementation

At Brookland Junior we use Herts for Learning exemplified planning units (including Back on Track planning in 2021-22) as the backbone of our English curriculum. These units are based on quality texts that appeal to both boys and girls. Our lessons include reading, learning grammar, spelling and punctuation skills (as set out in the National Curriculum) and applying these in independent writing. Teachers adapt the units to suit the needs of the children in their class and year group. Children are encouraged to edit and proofread their writing and each half term they 'publish' a piece of writing. We place a strong emphasis on speaking and listening skills such as oral rehearsal, vocabulary development and drama. Children think about the audience and purpose for their writing and consider its effectiveness and impact on the reader. Children have frequent opportunities to work in pairs to discuss, plan and uplevel their writing. Teachers plan writing opportunities in subjects across the curriculum and we have the same high expectations of accurate spelling and punctuation for these lessons as we do in English lessons. Teachers meet regularly in year group teams, with support of the Writing Leads, to assess the effectiveness of their teaching and to plan next steps to move on children's learning.

Teachers use these Teacher Assessment Frameworks to assess children's writing in years 3-6. They will show you what your child needs to be able to demonstrate in their independent writing to achieve working towards age related expectations, age related expectations or greater depth.

Spelling

In Key Stage 2, children have spelling rules to learn in addition to a list of statutory words. There is a list for Year 3/4 and one for Year 5/6 (see below).

All classes have 4 spelling lessons a week. We use an investigative approach to learning spelling rules. The teacher will introduce the rule for the week. Children will spend time working out the rule of the week, investigating and applying it independently. At the end of the week, they will be tested on a selection of words so that the teacher can see if they have understood how to spell words using that week's rule. Please note lists of words are not sent home for children to learn. You will receive the half termly spelling overview plan, which is also on the website. We feel that our approach ensures a deeper understanding of spelling rules and a greater ability to recall them and use them in independent writing. If you have any questions, your child's teacher will be happy to help.

Helping your child with English This website explains some grammar terms you may not be familiar with.