Writing

We follow the National Curriculum for the teaching of English. Year groups plan lessons based on a novel or text using the Power of Reading programme. Plans incorporate all aspects of the National Curriculum spelling, grammar and punctuation in line with the end of year expectations.

Children are assessed regularly throughout the year with teachers using end of year expectations  and end of key stage writing expectations as guidelines for assessing progress in writing.

We encourage all children to use the correct pencil grip from Nursery and through Reception and Key Stage One to ensure children can form letters correctly and when ready, join fluently.

In addition, we use Lexia to support children with spelling strategies and comprehension as well as Cracking Comprehension.

Pencil Grip

If children are to develop a fluent and fast handwriting style, they must learn to hold a pencil with a grip that is relaxed but allows for efficient control of the pencil. If children grip a pencil too tightly, they won’t develop a free-flowing movement and they will tire very quickly. Experts agree that children should be encouraged to hold the pencil between the thumb and forefinger with the pencil resting on the third finger. The thumb and forefinger should also be able to move slightly so that very fine movements required for writing are possible. Commercial pencil grips, or triangular pencils, can be used to encourage this pencil hold but their use must be monitored as they can be misapplied.

Spellings