Cherry Tree Academy implemented the Talk for Writing approach to teaching English from September 2020. 

Intent 

At Cherry Tree Academy, we strive to open doors for our children through the teaching of English.  We aim to enrich vocabulary, share new worlds and stretch their imaginations in both reading and writing; fostering confidence, articulacy and aspirations in our learners.

The National Curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Read easily, fluently and with good understanding;
• Develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information;
• Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language;
• Appreciate our rich varied literary heritage;
• Write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting language and style for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences;
• use discussion in order to learn;
• Are competent in the arts of speaking and listening.

Implementation

At Cherry Tree Academy, writing is based on the Talk for Writing structure, with teachers having the confidence to adapt this in order to best suit their learners.  A 'cold to hot' task approach is followed throughout school in order to identify childrens' gaps in knowledge and see clear progress.  Spellings and grammar skills will be taught accordingly.  Children are 'hooked' with exciting experiences or purpose before being immersed in examples of genre.  Through careful analysis and talk, children look at the underlying structure of these, before considering how they might adapt it to suit their own ideas.  Exposure to high quality model texts helps children to have high expectations of their own writing and teacher modelling focuses children on the skills they must demonstrate.  Scaffolding materials such as word banks, thesaurus and a working wall make the learning visible and help children to make conscious decisions about their writing as an author.  Editing, both in independent and with peers, is an important part of the writing process an children learn how to act on feedback.  Children are encouraged to take pride in their writing.  Parents are engaged through letters home regarding whole school writes, where children have opportunities to talk and pre plan their writing at home with an adult.

Impact 

• Children will enjoy writing across a range of genres;
• Children of all abilities will be able to succeed in all English lessons because work will be appropriately scaffolded;
• Improved writing from cold to hot tasks;
• Teachers clearly know each child's strengths and areas of development;
• Children will have a wide range of vocabulary which they will use within their writing;
• Children will be able to effectively apply spelling rules and patterns they have been taught;
• Parents and carers will have a good understanding of how to support spelling, grammar and composition.

An English lesson at Cherry Tree Academy would include:

• Fun and engagement through high quality genres and texts;
• High expectations and challenge for all, support through appropriate scaffolding materials;
• Collaboration and reflection between peers;
• First quality teaching from all adults, with groups of learners supported in lessons.