English

Writing

 At Merryhills, the fundamental intention behind our writing curriculum is to develop pupil’s ability to speak and write fluently so that they can confidently communicate their ideas, opinions and emotions to others.  We hope our children will competently use their transcription and composition skills to show courage as they participate in the world: to communicate, consider and challenge ideas. We aim to expose pupils to high quality vocabulary and a comprehensive understanding of grammar to give their abstract ideas a vehicle to drive the world forward into the future. Pupils are taught how to plan, review and edit their writing so they can produce effective and reflective pieces that are appropriate to the text type. Our curriculum inspires pupils to create relevant and purposeful writing through contextualised content, global stimuli and awareness of the audience. The writing curriculum is closely linked to foundation subjects and highly dependent on the teaching of reading and exposure to high quality texts. 

English Progression Map

Handwriting

At Merryhills Primary School, we understand the importance of developing proficient handwriting skills in our pupils. Handwriting is a crucial aspect of communication and is a fundamental skill that children need to master in order to succeed academically and in everyday life. This policy outlines our approach to teaching handwriting and the expectations we have for both pupils and staff.

Handwriting Policy and Progression Map 

SPaG - Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

Spelling is taught in a structured and engaging way each week using Spelling Shed, a digital platform designed to support spelling development through interactive learning. Each weekly lesson usually follows this format:

1. Introduction of the Rule or Pattern
   The week begins with a focused teaching session that introduces the specific spelling rule, pattern, or word list (e.g. suffixes, prefixes, homophones). This is often linked to the national curriculum objectives for the year group.

2. Whole-Class Teaching Activities
   Teachers lead whole-class discussions and activities to explore the spelling focus, using visual aids, example words, and group challenges. These might include identifying patterns, syllable breaks, and applying rules to new words.

3. Use of Spelling Shed Games and Assignments
   Pupils are assigned the week’s spelling list on Spelling Shed and the Google Classroom, where they engage with interactive games that reinforce learning. These games help build fluency and retention through repetition and adaptive difficulty.

4. Independent Practice and Homework
   Children are expected to log into Spelling Shed at home to continue practising the assigned spellings. Their progress is monitored by the teacher through the platform’s reporting tools as well as within the classroom. 

5. Application in Writing
   Opportunities are given throughout the week for pupils to use their spellings in context, such as in dictation activities, sentence writing, or cross-curricular writing tasks.

6. Weekly Spelling Test or Check-In
   At the end of the week, pupils complete a spelling test or informal assessment to check understanding and retention. The results help inform planning for future teaching.

   Spelling Shed Progression Map