“I’m a Clever Writer” is our whole‑school approach to teaching writing. It provides a clear, consistent structure that supports pupils in developing the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to become fluent, expressive and accurate writers. From early mark‑making to sophisticated written pieces, the approach ensures that every child understands the writing process and sees themselves as a capable writer.

Foundation Skills

Strong writing begins with secure foundation skills. In the early stages, pupils develop:

• Fine motor control to support pencil grip and letter formation

• Phonological awareness, including hearing and identifying sounds in words

• Early phonics knowledge to support spelling and decoding

• Oral language skills, such as vocabulary, sentence structure and storytelling

• Understanding of print, including directionality and basic punctuation

• Confidence in mark‑making, progressing to forming letters, words and simple sentences

These foundations are essential for later success and are revisited regularly to ensure pupils build secure habits that support fluent writing.

Modelled Writing and WAGOLLs

A key feature of our approach is the use of modelled writing and WAGOLLs (What A Good One Looks Like). These help pupils understand the features, structure and language choices that make writing effective.

Through modelled writing, teachers:

• Demonstrate the thinking process behind writing

• Show how to plan, structure and refine ideas

• Model accurate grammar, punctuation and vocabulary choices

• Make the invisible processes of writing visible and achievable

WAGOLLs provide pupils with:

• Clear examples of high‑quality writing

• A shared understanding of expectations

• Opportunities to identify features, patterns and techniques

• Inspiration and confidence to apply these features in their own work

This combination helps pupils understand how good writing works and gives them the tools to replicate it independently.

Coverage of the National Curriculum

Our writing curriculum fully meets the expectations of the National Curriculum for English, ensuring that pupils:

• Develop strong transcription skills, including spelling and handwriting

• Build composition skills such as planning, drafting, editing and evaluating

• Learn grammar and punctuation in meaningful contexts

• Write for a range of purposes and audiences

• Develop a rich vocabulary and an understanding of how language choices affect meaning

“I’m a Clever Writer” ensures that these elements are taught systematically and embedded across all year groups.

Progression of Knowledge and Skills

The approach is carefully sequenced so that pupils build their writing skills step by step. As they move through the school, children develop:

• Sentence‑level accuracy, including grammar, punctuation and cohesion

• Vocabulary choices that enhance clarity, style and impact

• Understanding of text structure, including openings, organisation and endings

• Composition skills, such as planning, drafting and improving their work

• Confidence in writing across genres, including narratives, reports, explanations, poetry and persuasive texts

• Independence, as they learn to evaluate and edit their writing effectively

Each year builds on the last, ensuring a smooth progression from early writing to well‑crafted, purposeful pieces.

How “I’m a Clever Writer” Supports Learning

Our approach provides:

• Clear modelling of writing processes by teachers

• Shared and guided writing to build confidence and understanding

• Opportunities for creativity, allowing pupils to develop their own voice

• Explicit teaching of grammar and vocabulary within real writing contexts

• Regular opportunities to edit and improve, helping children understand writing as a craft

• High‑quality texts that inspire ideas and demonstrate effective writing techniques

This structure helps pupils understand not just what to write, but how to write well.

Our Aim

Through “I’m a Clever Writer”, we aim to ensure that every child:

• Sees themselves as a capable, confident writer

• Understands the writing process from planning to publication

• Can express ideas clearly, creatively and accurately

• Has the skills needed to succeed in writing across the curriculum

• Develops a lifelong appreciation of the power of written communication