Writing at Mill Lane
At Mill Lane, we believe that writing is an essential skill that allows children to express their ideas, share their thoughts, and communicate with the world around them. We are committed to helping every child become a confident, creative, and skilled writer. Our Writing Curriculum is designed to inspire children to develop a love for writing through engaging, real-world experiences and the exploration of high-quality texts.
Our curriculum is carefully structured to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum while fostering a passion for writing. It focuses on developing key skills in composition, grammar, spelling, and handwriting. We ensure that every child makes progress, no matter their starting point. Writing is a vital skill for lifelong learning and success, and we are excited to support each child on their writing journey.
How we teach Writing at Mill Lane
Authentic writing Experiences
At Mill Lane, we recognise the importance of giving children first hand experiences to spark their creativity and imagination. Whether it's a class trip, a local community project, or an outdoor learning activity, we aim to provide meaningful, real-world experiences that children can draw upon in their writing. These experiences help children relate to what they are writing about, ensuring that their writing is engaging, purposeful, and reflective of their own lives. Children are given opportunities to write in ways that matter to them.
High Quality Texts
In addition, we value the power of quality texts. Through a carefully curated selection of books, poems, stories, and non-fiction texts, we expose children to rich language, exciting ideas, and different writing styles. These texts serve as models for students, showing them how skilled authors use language to create effects and convey meaning. This helps to broaden their vocabulary, enhance their understanding of different genres, and inspire them to develop their own writing style.
Collaboration
Writing is not just a solitary activity at Mill Lane. We encourage collaborative writing, where children work together to create and improve writing. This could include group stories, peer feedback sessions, or class writing projects. Collaboration allows children to learn from each other, build confidence, and see how different ideas can come together to create a piece of writing.
Feedback
Children are given regular feedback on their writing, both from teachers and peers. This feedback helps them identify areas for improvement and sets goals for further development. We encourage children to edit and improve their work, developing a growth mindset and taking ownership of their writing progress.
Supporting Writing at Home
Writing is a skill that can be developed and nurtured both in school and at home. We encourage parents and carers to support their child’s writing journey by:
- Reading Together: Sharing books, stories, and poems to expand vocabulary and inspire writing.
- Writing for Purpose: Encouraging children to write at home for different purposes, such as writing thank-you letters, making shopping lists, or keeping a diary.
- Talking About Writing: Discussing ideas for writing and helping children plan and organise their thoughts before they start.
