Writing at King's Gate Primary School
At King’s Gate Primary School, we have developed a carefully sequenced approach to writing and a strong school-wide writing culture. Our aim is to help every child grow in confidence as a writer, understanding that writing is purposeful, imaginative and central to how we communicate and make sense of the world.
Our Intent for Writing
We believe that writing is both a powerful means of communication and an important tool for thinking and learning. Our writing curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to express ideas clearly, creatively and accurately.
Our goal is for every child to become a fluent and thoughtful writer who understands how language works and can make deliberate choices about vocabulary, grammar and structure. Through carefully sequenced teaching, pupils gradually build the transcription and composition skills required to write with increasing independence and control.
Our approach reflects research on how writing develops, recognising that pupils need secure foundations in spoken language, sentence construction, handwriting and spelling before they can successfully compose longer pieces of writing. Over time, these elements combine to enable pupils to write effectively for a range of audiences and purposes.
How Writing Knowledge Builds Over Time
At King’s Gate Primary School, our writing curriculum is carefully structured so that pupils develop secure foundations before moving towards increasingly independent and sophisticated writing. Teachers model the craft of writing, provide structured opportunities for practice, and support pupils in applying their knowledge across a range of genres and subjects.
Our English curriculum includes:
• A balance of reading and writing rooted in high-quality texts,
• A strong focus on transcription (handwriting and spelling) and composition, supported by systematic phonics teaching in the Early Years and Key Stage 1,
• The use of mentor texts and teacher modelling,
• Structured opportunities for independent, guided, and published writing,
• Feedback, editing, and reflection as integral parts of the process,
• Inclusive support, including SEN provision, interventions, and assistive technology.
More information about our writing approach can be found in our English Handbook, or by following the links below:
Our Writing Milestones
Our KGPS Writing Milestones define the essential knowledge and skills that pupils develop in writing from Reception to Year 6. They ensure that the curriculum is carefully sequenced, with key concepts taught, practised and embedded before pupils move on to more complex writing. These milestones support teachers in planning and assessment, ensuring that all pupils develop secure foundations and increasing independence as writers.
Alongside our Sentence Progression, they ensure that pupils develop both the knowledge and control needed to write effectively.
