At The Stoke Poges School, we are passionate about developing confident, expressive, and skilled writers. We follow a whole school mastery approach to writing through the programme Pathways to Write, which supports the National Curriculum for English from Year 1 through to Year 6.

Our Approach

Pathways to Write is designed to equip pupils with the key skills to move them through the writing process towards their final outcome. The scheme is built around high-quality texts and engaging stimuli - including books, film, artefacts, drama and real-life experiences - that help spark curiosity and imagination in our pupils.

Each unit follows a clear structure to collect ideas and practice skills and writing in a variety of genres before embarking on a longer, independent writing piece. The approach allows for cross-curricular links and encourages a whole school thematic approach, with opportunities for writing topics to link across year groups.

Each unit develops the following:

• Mastery of vocabulary, grammar and punctuation
• A wide range of fiction and non-fiction writing genres
• Vocabulary development and application
• Speaking and listening opportunities, including drama, debates and presentations
• Recapping and embedding previously taught genres
• An extended, independent piece of writing

Three-Stage Process

1. The Gateway (1–2 lessons)

• Starts with a "hook" to capture interest using objects, images, people or drama
• Sparks discussion and prediction about the linked high-quality text
• Revisits prior knowledge and sets the purpose and audience for writing

2. The Pathway (10 lessons)

• Introduces three new writing skills linked to year group objectives
• Builds skills through short and extended writing tasks (e.g. character descriptions, diary entries, poetry, dialogue)
• Recaps previously taught grammar and writing skills
• Includes challenge tasks for greater depth writers involving form, viewpoint and audience shifts

3. Big Write (4 lessons)

• Children plan and structure longer texts independently or in collaboration
• Opportunities to redraft, edit and publish
• Extended writing outcomes (fiction or non-fiction), covering a wide range of genres

The Writing Journey

From Year 1 through to Year 6, children experience a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction writing, including:

• Stories, plays and poetry
• Recounts, news reports, explanation texts, letters, and instructions

In KS1, children begin with phonics-based writing, focusing on:

• Sentence structure and punctuation
• Developing fine motor skills and handwriting using the Nelson handwriting scheme
• Introducing vocabulary through engaging texts and spoken language activities

In KS2, children build on these foundations to:

• Vary sentence structure and develop complex grammar
• Apply new vocabulary and writing techniques across subjects
• Understand purpose, tone, and audience in writing

Cross-Curricular Writing

We embrace a creative and thematic approach to learning, allowing children to apply their writing skills in science, history, geography and other subjects. This makes writing meaningful, memorable, and connected.

Handwriting

Handwriting is taught through the Nelson scheme, beginning with mark-making in EYFS and progressing to fluent, joined writing in KS2. Pupils are encouraged to take pride in their presentation, and in KS2, they can earn a pen licence and badge for excellent handwriting.

Grammar

• Weekly spelling rules and curriculum word lists
• ‘Get Ready’ tasks at the start of lessons reinforce grammar rules and allow fluency practice

• Grammar and punctuation taught both discreetly and embedded in writing tasks
• Homework and Guided Reading activities reinforce spelling rules and grammar skills

Spelling

• We use the Spelling Shed programme, aligned with the National Curriculum, to deliver a structured, engaging approach to spelling from Year 1 onwards
• Weekly spelling rules and patterns are introduced through interactive lessons, followed by targeted practice both in class and at home
• Children consolidate their learning through fun, game-based activities, helping to reinforce spelling in an enjoyable and memorable way
• Progress is monitored regularly, allowing teachers to identify gaps and tailor support to individual pupils’ needs
• The scheme builds spelling confidence and fluency, equipping children with essential literacy skills for writing across the curriculum

Celebrating Writing

We foster a love of writing through fun and inspiring experiences:

• Newspaper Day
• Visits from authors such as Sam Sedgeman and Ross Welford
• World Book Day celebrations, competitions, themed lessons, and book character dress-up
• Showcases of children’s writing in class and around school

Our Aim

By the time children leave The Stoke Poges School, they will:

• Have mastered core grammar, punctuation, and spelling conventions
• Write confidently and compellingly for a range of audiences and purposes
• Use a rich, ambitious vocabulary
• Be ready to thrive as writers in secondary school and beyond