Writing

Welcome to our Writing page!

Meet our Subject Leader

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Writing Lead: Mrs Kirkpatrick

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Writing has been a passion of mine since childhood, from reading my favourite books to creating my own stories and poems. I loved how writing allowed me to express myself and explore new worlds. This enthusiasm continued through my primary and secondary education, where I began to develop a deeper appreciation for language and storytelling. Eventually, I extended this passion to A-Level English Literature, where I explored more complex texts such as The Tempest, Dancing at Lughnasa and Doctor Faustus, and refined my writing skills even further.

Now, as a teacher, one of my greatest joys is helping children discover the power of writing. There's something truly rewarding about watching students grow in confidence and skill, whether it’s crafting their first story or experimenting with different writing styles. I love seeing them “magpie” ideas from high quality writing models and make them their own, adding their unique voices and creativity. It’s amazing to witness their development as writers and nothing compares to the moment when they realise their potential.

I believe that writing is a tool for self-expression and empowerment. My goal is to inspire pupils to embrace writing as a way to communicate their thoughts, ideas and imaginations and to see them thrive as they gain the skills to do so.

Our Writing Curriculum

Intent

At Penwortham Primary School, our Writing curriculum is designed to develop confident, creative and articulate writers who can communicate effectively for a range of purposes and audiences. Our goal is to equip pupils with a strong foundation in spelling, punctuation, grammar and composition skills, whilst fostering a passion for self-expression and storytelling. Through engaging, purposeful and varied writing opportunities, we support each child in developing their voice, resilience and precision as writers, empowering them to share ideas with clarity and confidence.

At Penwortham Primary School we aim to enable our pupils to achieve excellence in Writing as follows:

Aspire : We aim to inspire our pupils to reach their full potential as writers by providing clear, high-quality examples of writing. Through explicit teaching and modelling, we demonstrate the process of writing effectively for different purposes and audiences. By setting high expectations and encouraging a growth mindset, we empower pupils to strive for excellence in their own writing, fostering ambition and confidence in their abilities.

Belong: We create a supportive writing environment where every pupil feels valued and confident to share their ideas. Through peer reviews, collaborative writing projects, and group discussions, we help children recognise the importance of working together and learning from one another. This sense of belonging nurtures their confidence to take risks and grow as writers.

Care: We cultivate an environment where pupils care about the impact of their writing on others. Through discussions on audience and purpose, children learn to write with empathy, respect, and consideration for their readers. We also ensure that pupils receive the care and support needed to develop their writing skills at their own pace, fostering a safe and inclusive space for all.

Discover: We encourage pupils to discover new writing techniques, styles, and genres by exploring a wide range of texts and writing prompts. By providing opportunities for children to experiment with different forms of writing, we help them develop their creativity and find new ways to express themselves, sparking curiosity and a lifelong love for writing.

Implementation

At Penwortham Primary School, we implement our writing curriculum through a balanced approach that incorporates explicit instruction, hands-on practice and supportive feedback. We ensure that pupils are exposed to a wide range of writing styles, genres, and techniques that encourage both technical skills and creative expression.

To begin with, we deliver clear, structured lessons on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and composition, which are tailored to the developmental stages of each child. These lessons are accompanied by high-quality examples of writing, including both teacher-modelled pieces and peer examples. Pupils are taught to apply their skills through a variety of activities, from guided writing exercises to independent tasks that allow them to experiment with different voices, genres, and writing purposes.

In addition to this, we promote collaboration through peer assessment, group discussions and joint writing projects, allowing students to work together, share feedback and learn from one another. We also foster creativity by providing diverse writing prompts, literary resources, and opportunities for pupils to explore new styles of writing—whether through storytelling, persuasive writing, poetry or reports.

Throughout the year, we implement regular assessments through independent, incidental short writing opportunities alongside end of unit assessments to track individual progress, allowing us to identify strengths and areas for growth. These assessments inform our teaching and help us provide targeted support, ensuring every child can develop their writing at their own pace. We create a supportive classroom environment where feedback is constructive and pupils are encouraged to take risks in their writing journey.

Impact

The implementation of our writing curriculum at Penwortham Primary School aims to foster confident, articulate writers who are not only equipped with the necessary technical skills but also passionate about expressing themselves creatively.

As a result of this approach, we expect our pupils to develop a strong foundation in writing mechanics such as spelling, grammar and punctuation, alongside a growing ability to communicate clearly and effectively for different audiences and purposes. Our focus on aspiration and high standards will empower pupils to take pride in their writing, with a clear sense of progress and achievement.

By providing a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment, we anticipate our students will grow in confidence, feeling safe to share ideas, take risks and refine their skills. The impact of our approach is that pupils will not only meet the academic expectations set for them but will also cultivate a lifelong love for writing. Through exploration and discovery, they will develop the ability to experiment with different writing styles and genres, fostering a strong sense of creativity and self-expression that will serve them throughout their education and beyond.

Ultimately, we envision that the writing skills our pupils acquire will not only enhance their academic journey but also empower them to communicate effectively in all aspects of their lives, contributing positively to their communities and the wider world.

Important Subject Documents

Spelling Progression

Videos and Files

Writing in Action

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." Maya Angelou