Year 6 Writing Curriculum at West Wycombe School

At West Wycombe School, we are committed to nurturing proficient and confident writers by the end of Year 6. Our writing curriculum is designed to cover a comprehensive range of topics and skills, ensuring that our students meet and exceed the expectations set by the national curriculum. Below is an outline of the key topics taught, the expectations for our Year 6 writers, and the type of writers we aim to develop.

Key Topics Taught

1.Punctuation

Use of dashes, apostrophes, colons, semi-colons, and correct punctuation for speech and reported speech.
Choosing appropriate punctuation for different genres and using a full range of punctuation accurately.

2.Sentence Structure

Use of relative clauses, subordinate clauses, and a variety of sentence types (complex, compound, simple).
Incorporation of conjunctions and fronted adverbials to enhance sentence variety.

3.Vocabulary

Use of expanded noun phrases, precise vocabulary in narrative writing, and the ability to switch between formal and informal vocabulary based on context.
Expression of attitudes through vocabulary choice and confident use of technical vocabulary.

4.Tense

Proficiency in using past and present perfect tenses, passive voice in formal writing, modal verbs, and the subjunctive mood.

5.Handwriting

Ability to write fluently and legibly at increasing speeds, with neat and joined handwriting.

6.Planning

Using models to write different genres and structuring paragraphs to elaborate, explain, and develop ideas.

7.Organisation

Effective use of layout in non-fiction texts and introducing topics through allusion.

8.Cohesion

Techniques for joining sentences, using adverbials for ordering, maintaining correct tense, and applying cohesion across sentences and paragraphs.

9.Style of Writing

Creating settings and characters, developing narrative atmosphere, using dialogue effectively, parodying other authors' styles, and conveying viewpoints through vocabulary.

10.Checking, Editing, and Feedback

Using tools like thesauruses and dictionaries, improving drafts, understanding sentence structure, and enhancing punctuation and grammar.

11.Feedback & Drafting

Responding to feedback, explaining improvements in drafts, and ensuring final drafts are error-free.

Expectations for Year 6 Writers

By the end of Year 6, students are expected to:

• Demonstrate a strong command of punctuation, using a variety of marks accurately and appropriately for different genres.
• Construct well-formed sentences, incorporating complex and compound structures, and using a range of conjunctions and adverbials.
• Employ a rich and varied vocabulary, adapting their word choice to suit different contexts and purposes.
• Use tenses correctly and consistently, including the past and present perfect, passive voice, modal verbs, and the subjunctive mood.
• Write legibly and fluently, with neat and joined handwriting.
• Plan and organize their writing effectively, structuring paragraphs and using layout features appropriately.
• Maintain cohesion within and across paragraphs, using pronouns, synonyms, and reference chains.
• Develop their writing style, creating engaging settings, characters, and atmospheres, and using dialogue to advance narratives.
• Edit and improve their work, using feedback to refine their drafts and ensure accuracy in punctuation and grammar.

The Type of Writer We Aim to Develop

At West Wycombe School, we aim to develop writers who are:

• Confident and Competent: Able to use a wide range of writing techniques and tools to express their ideas clearly and effectively.
• Creative and Imaginative: Capable of creating engaging and original content, whether in narrative, descriptive, or expository writing.
• Critical Thinkers: Skilled in analyzing and improving their own work, as well as providing constructive feedback to peers.
• Adaptable: Proficient in switching between different writing styles and registers, depending on the purpose and audience.
• Detail-Oriented: Attentive to the finer points of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, ensuring their writing is polished and professional.

National Curriculum Expectations for Year 6 Writers

The national curriculum for Year 6 writers includes the following expectations:

• Write legibly, fluently, and with increasing speed.
• Use a wide range of devices to build cohesion within and across paragraphs.
• Use a range of punctuation accurately, including colons, semi-colons, dashes, and hyphens.
• Use passive and modal verbs to convey degrees of possibility.
• Use expanded noun phrases to convey complicated information concisely.
• Use relative clauses beginning with who, which, where, when, whose, that, or with an implied (i.e., omitted) relative pronoun.
• Use adverbs, preposition phrases, and expanded noun phrases effectively to add detail, qualification, and precision.
• Ensure the consistent and correct use of tense throughout a piece of writing.
• Distinguish between the language of speech and writing and choose the appropriate register.

By adhering to these guidelines and fostering a supportive and stimulating learning environment, we ensure that our Year 6 students at West Wycombe School are well-prepared for the challenges of secondary education and beyond.