Writing

At Pebsham Primary Academy, our curriculum intent is deeply rooted in the belief that every pupil should not only attain excellence in writing but also find joy in the creative process. Drawing inspiration from the principles of effective learning, we proudly incorporate Talk for Writing as a foundational approach in our academy.

We recognise the power of Talk for Writing in aligning with how children learn best. Through this methodology, our students engage in oral rehearsals and performances before embarking on the writing journey. This process allows them to immerse themselves in the language relevant to a particular topic, fostering a deeper understanding before reading, analysing, and crafting their own written narratives.

Our curriculum intent combines an excellence-driven approach, emphasising vocabulary, grammar, and spelling, with the creativity-focused model that places value on enjoyment, communication, and the integration of Talk for Writing. We envision our students as writers who possess the ability to revisit, edit, and enhance their own work independently. Through this holistic strategy, we aspire to nurture well-rounded individuals who not only excel in writing but also derive fulfilment from the process of creative expression.

At Pebsham Primary Academy, our writing curriculum is enriched by the innovative 'Talk for Writing' approach, designed by literacy specialist Pie Corbett. This method, emphasising high-quality model texts, cultivates a deep understanding of various story and text types, fostering creativity, and critical thinking among our students.

Structured Three-Week Cycle with Model Texts:

Our approach follows a three-week cycle where each class immerses itself in a quality core text allowing students to absorb the nuances of different genres over an extended period. 

Explicit Teaching of Language Elements:

Regular Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar (SPAG) lessons align with the language proficiency goals of 'Talk for Writing,' providing a systematic approach to language skills development. Each year group begins their writing lesson with the teaching of SPaG and then applies this through their independent writing. 

Shared Writing Sessions:

Shared writing is integrated into our approach, serving as a crucial element in the 'Talk for Writing' process. It allows students to co-construct texts with the guidance of teachers, emphasising key grammatical constructs and elements. They develop an awareness of how and why writing features are used and begin to independently incorporate these features into their own writing. 

Development of Writing Toolkit at Pebsham:

Building on the 'Talk for Writing' model, we actively involve students in creating a writing toolkit. This toolkit, derived from features and ingredients of the model text, acts as a reference for students, aiding them in implementing various strategies in their writing tasks. Writing displays, including the 'washing line,' play a crucial role at Pebsham. They serve as visual aids, showcasing 'Talk for Writing' maps and shared writing, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

Engagement Strategies and Hooks:

Aligning with the 'Talk for Writing' principle of providing hooks and stimuli, we ensure each unit begins with a captivating introduction, sparking the creativity and imagination of our students. This establishes a clear purpose for writing.

Three Phases of Talk for Writing:

Imitation and Immersion:

Pebsham's implementation begins with a hook to fire up creativity, followed by immersion in the model text. Students internalise the text type through actions and story maps, exploring narrative structures and language effects.

Innovation:

Teachers and students modify aspects of the model text during this phase, exploring new ideas for characters, settings, and descriptive language while adhering to the underlying structure.

Invention:

In the invention stage, students plan and write their own stories based on the learned text type, experimenting with ideas and exploring their unique writing styles.

Our implementation of 'Talk for Writing' aligns seamlessly with the innovative approach developed by Pie Corbett. The three-week cycle, explicit teaching of language elements, shared writing sessions, development of writing toolkits, engaging displays, and integration of SPAG lessons create a robust framework for teaching writing. Incorporating the 'Talk for Writing' principles further enhances our strategy, fostering creativity, confidence, and independence in our students' writing endeavours.

At Pebsham Primary Academy, we have embedded our writing curriculum to help students become excellent and passionate communicators in writing. We want them to write clearly, adjusting their language and style for different situations. Our main goals include developing writing skills, building a rich vocabulary, mastering spelling, fostering a love for writing, and encouraging enjoyment across various genres. By the end of Year 6, our students not only write well but are also well-prepared for the challenges of secondary school, equipped with essential skills for ongoing success in their academic journey. Ultimately, our aim is to instil a deep appreciation for writing, allowing students to excel in various writing situations while nurturing a genuine love for language.