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Writing

English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them.

English National Curriculum, 2014

At Race Leys Infant School, Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing are integral to all of our learning.

Speaking and Listening

Spoken language is crucial to the development of reading and writing. The quality and variety of language that pupils hear and speak is key for developing their vocabulary and grammar and their understanding for reading and writing. We give the children opportunity to speak and listen in a variety of ways, including role play, drama, discussion, performances and debates. The use of learning partners is an important part of our teaching.

Early screening of speaking and listening skills takes place in Reception and we follow this with programmes of learning and intervention to support language acquisition throughout the school, including Speech and Language support.

Writing

Writing is a key part of our curriculum. We understand the importance of speaking and listening, language and reading to develop writing skills. At Race Leys, we start with quality texts to stimulate our children’s imagination. All of our writing units have an audience and purpose so children see writing as meaningful.

Our Read Write Inc lessons support the children’s developing writing. Children are given strategies to learn to spell words (Fred fingers) and also to develop their writing (Hold a sentence). These lessons also help the children’s growing vocabulary.

In Reception, we carefully plan so children are immersed in a print-rich environment. Writing progresses from early mark-making and giving meaning to these marks, to forming letters correctly and understanding how words and then phrase and sentences are built.

In Key Stage 1, a daily English lesson takes place with emphasis on the teaching elements of ‘transcription (spelling and handwriting) and composition (articulating ideas and structuring them.) Every lesson starts with a spelling focus for the week, with a spelling rule, spelling of common exception words and dictation. We develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of grammar and they learn how to use language effectively to write for a purpose and to engage the reader, as defined in the National Curriculum for English. In Year 2, children learn how to draft, check and edit their own work, focusing on correcting spelling and improving vocabulary.

Handwriting is an important aspect of writing and our children have a regular handwriting lesson. We use pencils and paper for handwriting. We also teach the children to sit using a good stable posture from which they can develop their handwriting. Initially in Reception, children will be taught to form letters as part of their Read Write Inc lessons. Provision will also focus on gross and fine motor activities. Letters will be taught in the Read Write Inc order and then in formation families. In Year 1, the children will learn to form letters in formation families. In Year 2, those children who are ready, will learn to join their handwriting. We also promote our presentation expectations in all year groups and year 2 children attend a fortnightly Presentation Party as a reward for sustained attainment or effort with presentation.