21.01.2026 – Letter formation – Handwriting
21-01-2026
In Sunflower Class we practise our letter formation in lots of different ways. Today we used paint to practise the ‘ee’ digraph.
Purpose of Study
English is at the heart of our curriculum, and writing is a key focus. Through writing, children learn to communicate ideas clearly, creatively and effectively. At our school, we follow the Literacy Counts scheme, which provides a carefully sequenced approach to teaching writing through high-quality texts.
The National Curriculum for English states that a high-quality education in English should teach children to speak and write fluently, so that they can communicate their ideas to others and participate fully as members of society. Using Literacy Counts, children are immersed in rich, engaging stories and texts that inspire them to write for different purposes and audiences. The scheme also builds a strong foundation in grammar, spelling and vocabulary, giving children the tools to craft their writing with accuracy and flair.
Aims
Our writing curriculum, delivered through Literacy Counts, aims to ensure that all children:
- Develop a love of writing, inspired by high-quality texts and meaningful contexts.
- Learn to write clearly, accurately and coherently for a variety of purposes and audiences.
- Use a wide and ambitious vocabulary, supported by their reading.
- Build a secure understanding of spelling, punctuation and grammar, applying this knowledge in their writing.
- Plan, draft, edit and evaluate their own work, becoming confident and reflective writers.
- See themselves as authors, developing creativity, imagination and confidence to express their ideas in writing.
Documents
Writing at Home
English – Writing Chatter
15.01.26 – English
15-01-2026
Daffodil class are really enjoying learning about how we could move while hunting a wolf. We have practised wandering, stalking and slithering now we are looking at how we lurk behind an object.
05.12.25 -English- Freeze frames
05-12-2025
During English today we were looking at writing in the report style for a newspaper. Before we completed the writing activity we worked in groups to act out and freeze in place to represent what was happening in the news report we had read.
02.12.25-Fine motor fun-PD
04-12-2025
The children in Reception are always working on their fine motor skills. This helps them to develop their writing skills by making their hands stronger.
06.11.25 -English- Independent writing
06-11-2025
We have come into class this morning and found a very interesting picture on our board. We then tried to independently write some words and sentences.
04.11.25 English – Who, what, where, why, how and when. There are so many questions!
04-11-2025
We received a very interesting package today, we have been discussing where it came from and even questioned the postman!
16.10.25 – English – Having some fun as the Night Gardener
16-10-2025
Someone in our class decided to dress up as the Night Gardener. I wonder who it is? He did a great job sneaking around without anyone seeing him cutting the trees!
09.10.25 -English- Henry’s Freedom Box
09-10-2025
In English, we did some Drama to help us remember the story we are learning about. Year 5 have read ‘Henry’s Freedom Box’ and today they dramatised the story of him escaping in the box. This is going to help them later on, when they write an autobiography on Henry.
12.09.25 English – Using drama to depict a story
12-09-2025
Today, we used drama to retell the story of The Night Gardener. Some of us were trees, another person was William and some of us were people from Grimlock Lane. This will help us write lovely story setting descriptions.
Fun Phonics
04-06-2025
Year 1 have really enjoyed practising reading some alien words this week by playing a really cool game!
No pen day in Rose Class
26-04-2025
Year 6 loved their No pen day experience, with lots of practical and computer based activities. From creating our plans for English on our chrome books to using multi-link cubes in maths to explore volume. It is to be continued after SATs.
Shackleton Drama
27-02-2025
Today, we brought some of the images of Shackleton Journey to life through conscience alley and freeze frames.
We used illustrations from our class reader Shackleton Journey written by William Grill. We had a lot of fun adding our own conversations, thoughts and ideas to these images.
Little Red
26-02-2025
Today, Sunflower class found some interesting items in our classroom. Inside there was a new book, Little Red. We looked at the first page illustrations and discussed it, asking questions and making predictions. We then acted out how Little Red would have felt walking through the woods alone.
Poppy class has a great PE class today.
26-02-2025
Year 2 were learning to listen to instructions
Spending time reading our favourite poems!
31-10-2023
Over the last couple of days we have been enjoying our poetry and spending time reading our favourite poems! #nationalpoetryday #nationalliteracytrust
We’re working so hard to develop our vocabulary knowledge ?
31-10-2023
We’re working so hard to develop our vocabulary knowledge ? today we have used dictionaries to discover the meaning of words
Today we continued to develop our vocabulary…
31-10-2023
Today we continued to develop our vocabulary by using a thesaurus to find synonyms
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This week, Year 1 have been using the prefix un- to change the meaning of words…
31-10-2023
This week, Year 1 have been using the prefix un- to change the meaning of words. This has been the focus for our sentence accuracy, the children have done a great job! #stfinbarsenglish @LiteracyCounts1 @StFinbarsSch @JanJconley
Year 1 have had a problem with magic spiders…
31-10-2023
Year 1 have had a problem with magic spiders. We wrote a class set of instructions – How to Catch a Spider. Last night we set a trap, it didn’t work! Today will write our own instructions to try catch the pesky spiders! #stfinbarsenglish
