WRITING
Subject Leader: Mrs Turton
Writing Intent
At Barnfields Primary School, our intention is to excite, engage and inspire pupils through a carefully sequenced, progressive writing curriculum that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to become confident communicators and lifelong learners.
We believe that strong writing begins with secure sentence construction, underpinned by a deep engagement with reading and language. Through immersion in high-quality literature, pupils develop a rich vocabulary, a strong sense of audience and purpose and the confidence to explore and express their ideas. Our literature-led approach fosters a love of reading while providing pupils with powerful models of language that inform and strengthen their writing.
Writing at Barnfields is taught as a cumulative process. Pupils continually build and refine their knowledge of grammar, sentence structure and composition, enabling them to communicate effectively for a wide range of purposes. Through regular opportunities to reflect on their own writing and that of others, pupils develop confidence and pride in their work, demonstrating both enjoyment and ambition as writers.
Our Writing Approach at Barnfields
Writing at Barnfields is taught through carefully structured units that combine rich exposure to high-quality texts with explicit teaching of sentence construction, grammar and composition. Each unit is deliberately designed to build cumulatively towards confident, independent writing and to ensure pupils develop secure knowledge and understanding of how effective writing works.
Across each unit, pupils are supported to develop the following:
- Awareness of Audience, Purpose and Structure
Pupils study carefully selected model texts and exemplars to explore how writing is shaped by its purpose and intended audience, including the use of structure, vocabulary and grammatical features. Through close reading and discussion, pupils internalise what effective writing looks like, enabling them to draw upon these features when crafting their own writing.
- Modelling and Supported Practice
Teachers explicitly model the writing process, including planning, drafting, sentence construction, vocabulary selection and editing. Dictated, shared and guided writing opportunities allow pupils to rehearse and apply new skills with appropriate support before transitioning to independent writing.
- Planning and Scaffolding
Teachers strategically pre-plan key vocabulary, paragraph structures and grammatical features to ensure learning is purposeful and progressive. Pupils use age-appropriate planning tools, sentence stems and frameworks that support organisation and idea development. Scaffolding is carefully reduced over time to build independence and confidence.
- Sentence-Level Focus
Lessons place a strong emphasis on sentence construction, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. Through deliberate practice, repetition and precise feedback, pupils develop the ability to write accurate, varied and well-crafted sentences, forming a secure foundation for coherent and effective extended writing.
The Writing Process at Barnfields
Writing at Barnfields is taught through a three-phase, carefully sequenced process that builds towards a high-quality independent final piece.
