At Essendon Primary School, we want every child to be confident, articulate learners who can communicate effectively and think critically. Through a rich and engaging curriculum, we aim to foster a love of reading and writing while equipping pupils with the essential skills needed for success across all subjects and in later life. Using Herts for Learning Essential Writing, we ensure that children are exposed to a wide range of high-quality, diverse and inclusive literature and writing opportunities, expertly pitched for children to study the craft of writing and utilise similar techniques within their own compositions. 

The English curriculum is carefully structured through the Essential Writing approach which is an ambitious and progressive writing scheme, hooked in with high-quality literature. Each learning step builds progressively within and across the writing units, gradually introducing and revisiting grammar, spelling and compositional knowledge and skills fully matched to the National Curriculum English writing programme of study. Each unit of work is carefully designed with helpful verbal and visual prompts, and resources to support children as they write, helping them to work both independently and with their peers. Teachers use proven teaching approaches, including giving children plenty of opportunities to talk through their ideas before writing. This helps pupils organise their thoughts, build sentences more confidently and develop their writing skills step by step.

The impact of this approach is evident in the quality of pupils’ writing as they feel inspired and ready to write high-quality outcomes. Children develop a strong understanding of different genres and are able to write with purpose and authentic audiences in mind. They demonstrate grammatical accuracy, a rich vocabulary and the ability to reflect on, edit and improve their work. They have developed the knowledge, motivation and confidence in the craft of writing. Most importantly, pupils leave our school as enthusiastic readers and capable writers, well-prepared for the next stage of their education.