Developing Writing
Talk For Writing Conference, Essex LA
Hi Carole, I’m completely inspired -what a fantastic day. I’ve come back to school and spoken to staff and it’s just what we need. You said that you and I could tailor make a Talk for Writing package for my school so if that’s still possible I’d like to do this for next year. Glebe Infants Head teacher re Talk for Writing conference
Hi Carole, I just wanted to say thank you again for today. Jenny and Donna both fed back to me about how useful it was for them to see a guided writing session in action, rather than just being told how to do it. We are all going to use the pupil writing target sheets when working with a guided writing group. As I mentioned earlier it has given me the assurance that there is no need to rush straight into the writing with children LSL, Phoenix Primary re guided writing modelling
Dear Carole, Congratulations on a very successful conference at the Wickford Centre last week. Thank you and well done again to you and all contributors. Early Years Adviser ECC re Writing Conference
Many thanks for your valuable input into both our meetings this week. We were all in agreement that we went away encouraged and enlightened. So often we’re left with a feeling of bombardment and overload – but on these occasions we have felt inspired! Literacy subject Lead St Giles C of E Primary re visual literacy
The whole project had a great impact on writing as children were really motivated. As a result, children used more interesting ideas in their writing. Improvement in story structure and characterisation was also seen. Progress of specific target groups of children was tracked from September to May. Of the 6 children in the Year 1/2 group, 4 made a whole levels progress and two children made 2/3 level in Reading. Children made progress in writing also – one child making a whole level and others making good progress. Children in Year 5 made more progress in writing than reading with one child improving by over 2 levels. LSL, Holy Trinity CE Primary, Halstead re From Screen to Page Programme
Thank you for the progression documents that you sent me last week….: they are perfect and just what I needed. I am really excited about this project and look forward to seeing the results. Assistant HT, The Willows, re Writing support
Raising Attainment in Spelling: INSET day for teachers and TAs, 2.9.15 Micklem Primary, Hemel Hempstead
Excellent: Clear explanations, lots of practical games. Nursery Teacher
Excellent: A focus for school development across the key stages.Deputy Head
Excellent: a very informative and useful session throughout.
Excellent: Great! Practical ideas for spelling across the school. Lots of support for implementing policy/planning to help us meet new expectations of SATS. Assistant Head
Raising Attainment in Spelling: INSET day for teachers +TAS 4.1.16 Hampton Hargate Primary, Peterborough
Overall training-Excellent: Trainer was very knowledgeable. Lots to take in, but very comprehensive. Thank you. Teacher
Excellent: Taken away some very good ideas/concepts to apply to my own practice. Y6 teacher, SENCO and Assistant Head
Excellent: This has helped me form an action plan for spelling. DH/Literacy Subject Lead
Outstanding teaching of Grammar INSET day for teachers and TAS, 2.11.15 St Anne’s Catholic Primary, Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Excellent: It was helpful to clarify all the aspects of grammar and to understand expectations for end of both Key stages. Headteacher
Excellent: The training was thorough and concise with practical ideas. Literacy Subject Leader
Excellent: inspired me to re-evaluate planning. Reassured me that I am doing many of the suggested ideas-just need to be more consistent. Year 4 Teacher
Case Studies
Developing Writing at Northlands Primary (2015-16) – Independent Consultant Support
The reason for support: To support the improvement of standards and progress in writing across the school.
How I helped: 8 days across the year, agreed with the school, including Headteacher and Subject Leader support especially assessment, planning and spelling policy and literacy planning, twilight staff meetings including guided writing, pupil perceptions, environmental walks, classroom dips and feedback and assessment workshops. Quality, relevant writing resources shared with all staff
The impact so far: Increased teacher confidence in planning, assessment and guided writing.
I think your input has been very useful and the teachers seem more confident now; feedback has been very positive.
Thanks again.
St Martins and Seabrook Primary, Folkestone (2014-15) part of a customised solution for T.T. Education
The reason for support: To develop Teaching and Learning within both schools with a focus on improving standards in writing.
How I helped: The programme, which provided training and support for all levels of leadership, class teachers and teaching assistants, included consultancy days, twilights, workshops, demonstration lessons. What St Martin’s valued the most was that these sessions were “relevant, practical and ran at a swift pace; they provided staff with a wealth of ideas and materials to implement within the classroom”. In addition to this, “the programme was adapted to meet the differing needs of each school with individual as well as joint sessions.”
The impact:
- Increased staff confidence
- Improved effectiveness of subject/phase leadership
- Accelerated pupil progress
- Effective and well used working walls
- Improved quality and quantity of pupils’ writing across the school
In addition they saw an increase in their progress and attainment data in writing across the school
The most significant impact of the project for St Martin’s has to be the outcome of their Ofsted inspection in April 2015 where the school was graded as Outstanding in every category.