Writing
Writing at Ashton Hayes Primary School
Vision for Writing
At Ashton Hayes Primary School, we believe that writing is one of the most powerful ways in which children can communicate, express themselves and make sense of the world around them. We want every child to develop the confidence, knowledge and skills to become an enthusiastic, fluent and successful writer who takes pride in their work and understands the power of the written word.
As a small rural primary school in Cheshire, we recognise that writing opens doors to experiences beyond our own community. Through carefully chosen, high-quality literature and meaningful writing opportunities, our curriculum broadens pupils' horizons, introduces them to diverse voices, cultures and experiences, and inspires them to write with purpose, imagination and authenticity.
We believe that all children can become successful writers. Our curriculum is built upon high expectations, carefully sequenced learning and explicit teaching of the skills required for writing success. We encourage pupils to see writing as a process of planning, drafting, refining and improving, understanding that excellent writing develops through practice, perseverance and thoughtful reflection.
Strong foundations are central to our approach. We place significant emphasis on the teaching of handwriting, spelling, punctuation and grammar, recognising that these essential skills enable pupils to write fluently and confidently. Alongside this, we believe that spoken language is fundamental to successful writing. Through discussion, storytelling, drama, vocabulary exploration and oral rehearsal, pupils develop the language and confidence needed before putting pen to paper.
Most importantly, we want children to enjoy writing. We strive to create classrooms where pupils are inspired by exceptional texts, excited by meaningful writing opportunities and proud to share their work with others.
We aim for all pupils to:
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develop a love of writing and confidence as independent writers
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write fluently, accurately and with increasing stamina across a range of genres
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understand how to write effectively for different audiences and purposes
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develop secure foundational skills in handwriting, spelling, grammar and punctuation
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use ambitious vocabulary and carefully chosen language to communicate ideas effectively
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plan, draft, edit and improve their writing independently
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develop resilience, creativity and pride in producing high-quality written work
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apply their writing skills confidently across the wider curriculum.
Implementation
Writing at Ashton Hayes Primary School is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum that begins in EYFS with Drawing Club and a rich language-based approach to early writing before progressing into Ready Steady Write from Literacy Counts from Year 1 onwards. Ready Steady Write is an award-winning, evidence-informed writing curriculum built around high-quality, vocabulary-rich literature and provides a carefully sequenced progression of knowledge and skills that is fully aligned with the National Curriculum.
In EYFS, children develop early writing through Drawing Club, alongside a wide range of carefully chosen high-quality texts, stories, experiences and purposeful play that inspire communication and early writing. Through imaginative storytelling, vocabulary-rich discussion, mark-making and adult modelling, children develop the confidence to communicate their ideas and begin writing for a range of meaningful purposes. This approach lays the foundations for successful writing by fostering creativity, language development and a love of storytelling before children move into the structured writing curriculum in Key Stage 1.
From Year 1 onwards, each writing unit is centred around an engaging, high-quality text that provides a meaningful context and purpose for writing. Through carefully planned learning sequences, pupils explore ambitious vocabulary, analyse how authors write, develop ideas through discussion and drama, and learn to apply grammatical knowledge within authentic writing rather than in isolation.
At Ashton Hayes Primary School, we recognise that becoming a successful writer depends upon secure foundational skills. Handwriting, spelling, grammar and punctuation are taught explicitly and progressively across the school. We teach spelling through Ready Steady Spell, ensuring that pupils develop secure spelling knowledge alongside their writing. Children are given regular opportunities to practise, apply and revisit these essential skills so that they become increasingly automatic and enable them to write with confidence and fluency.
Spoken language lies at the heart of our writing curriculum. Teachers use structured discussion, vocabulary exploration, oral rehearsal, modelled writing and shared writing to help pupils organise and articulate their ideas before writing independently. Throughout each unit, pupils are taught to evaluate, edit and improve their work, recognising that writing is a process of continual refinement rather than a single finished piece.
Writing is valued across the wider curriculum. Pupils regularly apply their writing skills in history, geography, science, RE and other subjects, writing for real purposes and authentic audiences wherever possible. This enables children to see writing as an important life skill rather than simply an English lesson.
Teachers use ongoing assessment, informed by the Writing Framework, to identify pupils' next steps and adapt learning accordingly. Lessons are carefully scaffolded to ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND, can achieve success whilst also providing appropriate challenge that enables every child to fulfil their potential.
Impact
Through the writing curriculum at Ashton Hayes Primary School, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to communicate effectively through the written word.
Pupils leave our school as fluent, confident writers who understand how to write successfully for a range of audiences and purposes. They demonstrate secure transcriptional skills through accurate handwriting, spelling, grammar and punctuation, enabling them to focus increasingly on the craft of writing and the communication of ideas.
Children develop rich vocabularies, write with increasing creativity and precision, and understand how authors make deliberate choices to engage and influence their readers. They become reflective writers who are able to edit, improve and evaluate their own work independently.
Through exposure to high-quality literature and carefully planned writing experiences, pupils develop an appreciation of language, literature and the diversity of voices and experiences that writing can represent. They understand that writing enables them to share ideas, express opinions, tell stories and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
Ultimately, pupils leave Ashton Hayes Primary School as enthusiastic, resilient and ambitious writers who embody our vision to 'Aspire to be Amazing'. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their education and possess the confidence, knowledge and love of writing that will support them throughout their lives.