Intent

At Larkspur, our writing curriculum is designed to engage and inspire every child, providing rich and real learning experiences that nurture creativity, independence, and confidence. We aim to develop writers who are ambitious, imaginative, and able to express their ideas clearly, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to thrive beyond school.

Our goal is for every pupil, regardless of ability, background, or individual need, to become an enthusiastic and confident writer who believes they can succeed. Our writing curriculum is inclusive, with adaptations made so that every child feels involved and experiences a strong sense of belonging. We ensure that our teaching meets the expectations of the Early Learning Goals and the National Curriculum, supporting steady progression throughout the school. We recognise that spoken language forms the foundation of strong writing, helping to develop children’s vocabulary, grammar, and overall communication skills.

We foster a genuine love of writing by immersing children in high-quality, vocabulary-rich literature, following the Ready Steady Write scheme of work. By providing stimulating and meaningful writing opportunities, we encourage pupils to write regularly across a range of genres, developing both skill and creativity. We cultivate a culture where children take pride in their work, write accurately and confidently, and can adapt their style and language for different purposes and audiences.

Implementation

At Larkspur, our writing curriculum is delivered through the Ready Steady Write scheme of work, which provides a clear and consistent approach from Year 1 to Year 6. The scheme is structured around four key stages in each unit: Immerse, Analyse, Plan, and Write.

  • Immerse: Pupils engage deeply with high-quality texts, developing familiarity with vocabulary, style, and structure. This stage encourages curiosity, discussion, and an appreciation of rich language.
  • Analyse: Children explore the text to identify effective features and techniques used by the author, learning how language and structure contribute to meaning and impact.
  • Plan: Pupils organise their ideas and plan their writing, applying the techniques they have analysed to their own work.
  • Write: Children complete an extended piece of writing, demonstrating their ability to apply skills independently, with attention to style, purpose, audience, and accuracy.

Each unit incorporates both fiction and non-fiction elements, ensuring pupils have opportunities to write across a broad range of genres and purposes. Through this structured approach, children build confidence, develop a strong writer’s toolkit, and make clear progress across the school.

Once children have finished their extended piece of writing, they then take the time to read through their work and make improvements. We celebrate children’s success and and encourage them to read their work to an audience.

Ready Steady Spell

At Larkspur, we use the Ready Steady Spell programme to provide a structured and consistent approach to teaching spelling across the school. The scheme is designed to support pupils in developing a secure understanding of spelling patterns, rules, and strategies, enabling them to become confident and independent spellers. By systematically building knowledge from Year 1 through Year 6, Ready Steady Spell ensures that children develop both accuracy and fluency in their writing. The programme complements our writing curriculum, reinforcing phonics, vocabulary, and word knowledge, and helps pupils apply spelling skills effectively across all subjects. Using this approach, we aim to give every child the tools to write with confidence and precision, supporting their overall progress as successful writers.

Handwriting

At Larkspur, we are introducing the Nelson Primary handwriting scheme to provide a consistent and structured approach to developing handwriting across the school. In the Early Years Foundation Stage and Year 1, pupils focus on accurate letter formation, ensuring that they develop a solid foundation in forming letters correctly and confidently. From Year 2 onwards, children progress to cursive handwriting. The scheme supports the development of fine motor skills, reinforces the correct formation of letters, and promotes neat, consistent handwriting that pupils can apply across all areas of their learning. By following a clear progression from EYFS to Year 6, we aim to help every child become a confident, skilled writer who can communicate effectively through their written work.

Impact

Our approach across the school ensures that children build a strong foundation in literacy, while developing essential social skills through collaboration and shared learning experiences. The curriculum is carefully designed to meet the needs of individual pupils, providing high-quality first teaching alongside targeted interventions when needed. This layered approach supports positive outcomes for all children. Progress is monitored and demonstrated through a variety of measures, including end of Key Stage assessments for SPaG and Writing Teacher Assessments, work in books, and discussions with pupils and staff.