Writing
At Whiston Worrygoose, we aim to develop confident, capable writers who can communicate their ideas clearly, creatively, and effectively for a range of purposes and audiences. Our writing curriculum is built on a blended pedagogical approach, drawing on Pie Corbett’s Talk for Writing, elements of Jane Considine’s The Write Stuff, and the progressive sentence structures from Alan Peat’s Exciting Sentences, which underpin our curriculum progression documents.
Through Talk for Writing, pupils internalise high-quality language and text structures before moving into supported and independent writing. Elements of The Write Stuff pedagogy strengthen pupils’ understanding of writing purpose, authorial intent, and the crafting of sentences. This is complemented by a clear progression in sentence construction, enabling pupils to develop control, variety, and sophistication in their writing.
Pupils are taught punctuation and grammar through a combination of discrete, stand-alone lessons and contextualised teaching within their writing, ensuring that technical accuracy is both explicitly taught and meaningfully applied. We believe that regular, purposeful writing opportunities are essential, and teachers use live marking and immediate feedback to support pupils in making improvements in the moment.
Editing, redrafting, and publishing are embedded features of our writing process. Pupils are given regular, structured opportunities to revisit their work, implement new ideas, and refine their writing to a high standard.
Writing at Whiston Worrygoose is purposeful and engaging. Wherever possible, it is rooted in high-quality texts studied during reading sessions, or linked to learning in history and geography, providing meaningful contexts that inspire pupils and deepen understanding across the curriculums. Our vision is that pupils leave Whiston Worrygoose as thoughtful, fluent writers who can apply their skills confidently across subjects and into the wider world.
For more information about our blended pedagogical approach, please use the links below.
Pie Corbett’s Talk for Writing
INTENT
At Whiston Worrygoose, our intent is to develop fluent, confident writers who can communicate effectively for a range of purposes and audiences. Our writing curriculum is designed to equip pupils with the skills, knowledge, and language choices needed to express ideas clearly, creatively, and accurately. We aim for pupils to understand how writing is structured, crafted, and refined, and to make purposeful links between their writing, high-quality texts, and learning across the wider curriculum, particularly in reading, history, and geography.
IMPLEMENTATION
Writing is taught through a coherent, progressive curriculum that blends Talk for Writing pedagogy with structured sentence development and explicit teaching of grammar and punctuation. Pupils regularly engage with high-quality model texts, internalising language patterns before applying them in shared, guided, and independent writing. Grammar and punctuation are taught both discretely and in context to ensure secure understanding and meaningful application. Teachers provide regular opportunities for sustained writing, supported by live marking and immediate feedback. Editing, redrafting, and publishing are embedded within the writing process, enabling pupils to reflect on and improve their work.
IMPACT
As a result of this approach, pupils at Whiston Worrygoose become confident and increasingly independent writers who take pride in their work. They demonstrate secure control of sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation, alongside an ability to adapt their writing for different purposes and audiences. Pupils can articulate their choices as writers and apply their skills consistently across the curriculum. By the time they leave Whiston Worrygoose, pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education, with a strong foundation in writing that supports both academic success and effective communication beyond school.
