Writing

Writing at Boughton Heath Academy

At Boughton Heath Academy, we believe that every child should leave us as a confident, capable and enthusiastic writer. From Reception to Year 6, our writing curriculum is delivered through Pathways to Write, a high-quality, text-based approach that immerses children in rich literature and provides meaningful reasons to write. Through carefully sequenced units, pupils develop their vocabulary, grammar, composition and authorial voice while writing for a range of purposes and audiences.

In the early stages of learning, writing is closely supported by our phonics programme, Floppy's Phonics. As children learn to decode and encode sounds, they begin to apply their phonics knowledge to their independent writing. This strong link between reading and writing helps children develop confidence and accuracy from the very beginning of their learning journey.

Alongside composition, we place a significant emphasis on transcription skills - handwriting and spelling - recognising that these are the foundations upon which successful writing is built. Spelling is taught explicitly three times each week, enabling children to develop a secure understanding of spelling patterns, rules and statutory word lists. Opportunities to apply and revisit spelling knowledge are woven throughout the wider curriculum to support long-term retention.

Handwriting is taught daily across the school. We begin by establishing correct posture, pencil grip and letter formation before progressing towards fluent, joined handwriting. As children develop confidence and control, they are introduced to cursive handwriting, enabling them to write efficiently, legibly and with pride. Consistent expectations across all year groups ensure that handwriting becomes an automatic skill, allowing pupils to focus their attention on the content and quality of their writing.

We are passionate about helping children see themselves as authors. Through exposure to high-quality texts, explicit teaching, regular opportunities for extended writing and carefully structured feedback, pupils learn how to craft, refine and improve their work. Writing is celebrated throughout the school, with examples of beautiful work displayed and shared so that children develop pride in their achievements and aspire to produce their very best.

By the time our pupils leave Boughton Heath Academy, they have experienced a broad range of writing opportunities and possess the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to communicate effectively in secondary school and beyond.