English Writing
Writing Intent
The writing curriculum at Pinner Wood is designed to be meaningful and relevant for all pupils. Literature sits at the heart of our approach, with reading and writing taught in close partnership. We believe that reading is the most effective foundation for strong writing, so the two curriculums run in parallel.
Through our writing structure, children engage with high-quality, challenging ‘class readers’ that enrich their vocabulary, comprehension, and overall understanding of the English language.
Our teaching supports pupils in developing strong composition skills while considering the audience, purpose, and context, alongside an increasingly broad understanding of vocabulary and grammar. Grammar is taught explicitly through dedicated lessons, giving children the opportunity to build fluency and apply their learning with confidence.
Progression in Writing
The English writing curriculum is designed to be progressive, beginning with picture books and early readers and gradually moving toward chapter books so that children’s vocabulary, comprehension, and depth of thinking develop over time. Writing purposes are closely linked to the texts children read and are revisited across year groups, allowing key skills to be reinforced and then extended.
For example, when children write a diary entry in Year 2 and again in Year 5, they draw on familiar features while applying more advanced techniques that have been explicitly re-taught and further developed. Teachers plan using both the National Curriculum and their professional expertise, compiling clear lists of essential skills for each year group.
Grammar is taught meaningfully in context, carefully matched to each writing genre so that it supports and strengthens pupils’ writing.
Writing Inclusivity and Wider Opportunities
At Pinner Wood, pupils are offered meaningful opportunities to extend their classroom learning through writing competitions, author visits and a range of trips including library trips, Harrow Library Warehouse and visiting local schools. Writing opportunities also include collaborations with The Pinner Villager.
Throughout the week, clubs such as 'Squiggle while you wiggle', phonics club, Poetry by Heart and 'Fun with Fred' are run by teachers to further promote the fun in transcription and writing.
This year, we will launch a Creative Writing Week which will provide children with the chance to experiment with ideas, write freely and openly, and celebrate the effort they put into their work.
