Writing remains one of the least secure and most variable areas of the primary curriculum.
While outcomes in reading have strengthened over time, writing continues to present a challenge. In many schools, progress is less consistent, and improvements are harder to sustain. Alongside this, expectations remain high. Schools are required to make robust and accurate judgements, yet assessment in writing often lacks the same level of confidence and consistency seen elsewhere.
At the same time, the issue of inclusion is increasingly prominent. Writing is often the area in which gaps widen most—for pupils with SEND and for those whose language and transcription skills are less secure. As a result, schools are investing considerable time and effort, but not always seeing the improvements they would expect.
Across the system, variation remains. In some settings, writing is taught with clarity and precision, resulting in confident pupils and consistent outcomes. In others, despite strong commitment, achieving this level of consistency remains difficult—not through lack of intent, but through the complexity of the work.
There will be a structured sequence of sessions across the year, focused on three key areas:
- Clarifying standards, expectations and what high-quality writing looks like
- Developing effective teaching approaches, including modelling, scaffolding and feedback
- Securing consistency in practice, assessment and outcomes across classes and schools
Each stage of the work will draw on writing outcomes, moderated pupil work and classroom practice, with a consistent rhythm of review, collaboration and refinement. Particular attention will be given to supporting SEND and lower-attaining writers, ensuring that all pupils are able to access and succeed in writing.
This is not a passive forum. Schools will bring current challenges, engage in structured
The focus throughout is on what high-quality writing looks like—both in teaching and outcomes—and how this can be achieved consistently and sustainably across schools.
Primary Writing and Oracy Forum Key Content and Dates
| Meeting | Focus | Key Content | Purpose |
| Meeting 1 Wednesday 7th October 2026 12:30pm-4:30pm (In Person) |
Foundational Literacy: Building Strong Writers from the Start | Exploration of the foundations of successful writing, including vocabulary development, sentence construction, transcription skills, reading-writing connections and writing readiness. Review of baseline writing data and identification of key priorities across schools. Sharing effective practice from across the Trust. | To establish a shared understanding of the foundations of writing and identify the key barriers and priorities affecting writing outcomes. |
| Meeting 2 Wednesday 27th January 2027 3:45pm-5:00pm (Microsoft Teams)
|
Foundational Literacy: Developing Fluency, Accuracy and Independence | Focus on securing spelling, handwriting, grammar and sentence fluency alongside approaches that support pupils to write independently. Evaluation of implementation since Meeting 1 and discussion of effective classroom practice. | To strengthen teaching approaches that secure essential writing knowledge and help pupils become increasingly confident and independent writers. |
| Meeting 3 Wednesday 10th March 2027 3:45pm-5:00pm (Microsoft Teams)
|
Oracy as the Foundation for Writing | Exploration of the relationship between talk and writing. Strategies for developing vocabulary, oral rehearsal, discussion, storytelling and purposeful classroom dialogue. School examples of effective oracy-led practice that improves writing outcomes. | To strengthen the use of oracy as a tool for improving composition, vocabulary development and confidence in writing. |
| Meeting 4 Wednesday 19th May 2027 12:30pm-4:30pm (In Person)
|
Achieving Greater Depth in Writing | Exploration of Greater Depth expectations across key stages. Analysis of pupil work, effective teaching sequences, curriculum design and approaches that promote authorial control, independence and sophistication in writing. | To improve understanding of Greater Depth standards and support more pupils in achieving the highest writing outcomes. |
| Meeting 5 Wednesday 16th June 2027 Full Day (In Person – Moderation and Standardisation) |
Trust Writing Moderation and Assessment Accuracy | Cross-school moderation of writing outcomes using exemplification materials and agreed assessment criteria. Professional dialogue around standards, assessment confidence and consistency. Review of assessment processes across schools. | To strengthen assessment accuracy, moderation confidence and consistency of judgements across the Trust. |