Writing Curriculum Intent

At Radcliffe-on-Trent Junior School, we believe that writing gives every child the power to communicate ideas, share experiences, inform others, entertain readers and influence opinions. Our writing curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and purposeful, developing confident writers who understand not only how to write effectively, but why they are writing and who they are writing for.

Our approach to writing is purpose-led, with learning centred around four clear purposes: to entertain, inform, persuade and discuss. High-quality texts and engaging stimuli provide models and inspiration, while explicit teaching, live teacher modelling and shared writing help pupils understand how writers make deliberate choices for different purposes and audiences. Grammar and vocabulary are taught meaningfully within writing, and pupils learn to move through the writing process of planning, drafting, editing, refining and publishing. A consistent lesson structure, regular opportunities for independent writing and opportunities to revisit and strengthen previous learning enable pupils to apply what they know with increasing confidence, control and independence.

Through our commitment to Making Learning Memorable, pupils are given meaningful writing experiences that connect with real contexts and learning across the curriculum. Drama, art, discussion, high-quality texts and real-life stimuli help pupils develop ideas and give them something worthwhile to write about. Writing is applied across the curriculum so that pupils recognise it not simply as something they do in English lessons, but as a powerful way to communicate their knowledge, ideas and imagination. Opportunities to publish, perform and celebrate writing give pupils authentic audiences and help them develop confidence and pride in what they achieve.

Our school values are woven naturally through writing. Pupils Be Curious as they explore language, texts, ideas and different ways of expressing themselves; Be Brave as they experiment with language, take creative risks, share their ideas and improve their writing through reflection and editing; and Be Kind as they listen to others, give and receive thoughtful feedback and consider perspectives and experiences beyond their own. Our commitment to No Outsiders – Everyone is Welcome helps pupils encounter a rich range of voices, experiences and perspectives and understand that writing can help us make sense of both our own lives and the wider world.

We recognise that children develop as writers in different ways. Through clear modelling, supportive scaffolds and adaptive teaching, we identify and remove barriers so that every pupil can participate, make progress and experience success, while maintaining high expectations for all. We want every child to develop creativity and confidence, to see themselves as a writer who belongs at ROTJS and to understand that their ideas matter and that they have a voice worth hearing.

By the time pupils leave ROTJS, we want them to be confident, capable and increasingly independent writers. They will be able to write with clarity, control and impact for different purposes and audiences; make deliberate choices about vocabulary, grammar, structure and organisation; and independently plan, draft, edit, refine and publish their work. They will be prepared for the demands of secondary school and, above all, understand the power of language and feel confident using writing to express themselves, communicate with others and participate in the wider world.