We are writers

Children at Southborough are creative and imaginative writers.  They will have many opportunities throughout the week to write, edit and improve. We follow CUSP reading, writing and spelling programmes. https://www.unity-curriculum.co.uk/more-information/primary/#reading&writing

CUSP curriculum

We follow the CUSP Curriculum for Writing. 

Sequence and progression 

CUSP Writing is built on a Reduce and Revisit model. This means that we have reduced the number of text types that pupils study, in favour of revisiting a small number that we want them to truly master. These text types have been carefully selected to ensure balance and progression across the whole of the primary journey.

The CUSP curriculum is underpinned by a clear programme of study that sets out what pupils should know and be able to do in each domain of writing. This is fully aligned to the National Curriculum. These concepts are mapped into each block of writing planning, with plenty of opportunities to revisit previous knowledge.

Teaching and learning:

Each unit has an Ingredients for Success checklist. Teachers and pupils use this to support their assessment of the extended outcome. Teachers use these to support their marking and feedback of the extended outcome, identifying concepts which are secure and can be built on and those that require additional instruction.

We use the Key Indicators as a summative tool that can be used to answer the question ‘Have pupils learned what is intended in the curriculum?’. If, across the portfolio of Block B units, pupils can show security against all elements of the Key Indicators, pupils have learned what is intended. If there are gaps for individuals, this information can be used to reshape practice and support teachers in addressing areas of weakness for individual pupils or cohorts.

Writing in EYFS

In Reception, we believe that to be a successful writer the children need to have both the desire to have something to write about, and the physical capability to master a writing tool. To inspire the children to write we carefully plan play opportunities throughout our learning environment so that children see writing as part of play, and a vital means to communicate. As adults, we model this by immersing ourselves in their play so we can model purposeful writing and encourage the children to follow our lead.

Cross-Curricular Literacy Opportunities

We teach the full National Curriculum for English. The skills that children are taught in Literacy underpin all other subjects.  They enable pupils to communicate and express themselves in all areas of their work.  Teachers will always make cross-curricular links wherever appropriate and will plan for pupils to apply the skills, knowledge and understanding that they have acquired during Literacy to other areas of the curriculum.