The writing framework is non-statutory guidance for primary school teachers and leaders, and others interested in how pupils learn to write.
It was published by the Department for Education (DfE) in July 2025. It offers clear, evidence-based guidance to develop writing across your school so that your pupils become confident, skilled writers.
It’s also a chance to reflect on your own practice, spark professional conversations, learn from colleagues and keep growing together as a school community.
What is in the writing framework
The writing framework brings together the latest research and practical approaches to help you:
- Build a curriculum that develops writing skills step by step.
- Establish effective writing routines in every subject.
- Identify pupils who need extra support, so no one gets left behind.
- Foster a genuine love of writing and help pupils feel proud of their work.
With the right teaching and support, writing becomes more than just another classroom task.
Why writing is important
Writing sits at the heart of every subject and helps pupils to access the curriculum. When you teach pupils to write, you’re not just helping them master a skill. Writing allows pupils to organise their thoughts, communicate clearly and deepen their understanding. Research shows that writing can also boost wellbeing and spark creativity, giving pupils a way to express themselves and make sense of their experiences (Tan et al., 2021).
Learning to write well helps level the playing field. This is especially important for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2025, the DfE reported that only 59% of disadvantaged pupils met the expected standard in writing at the end of Key Stage 2, compared to 78% of their peers. And pupils who struggle with writing at primary level are less likely to achieve a grade 4 or above in English GCSE (DfE, 2012).
What the framework says about writing
The framework says that “proficiency in writing is a key skill throughout school and life. Being able to express ideas clearly and write fluently creates opportunities”. It also describes learning to write as “...one of the hardest challenges pupils face at school but it is vitally important”.
The framework covers how writing is complex, the importance of teaching writing in reception, and that mastering the quality of writing (such as handwriting, spelling and sentence construction) is more important than the quantity of what pupils write.
It suggests schools start with “teaching high-quality transcription and sentence instruction” and that they don’t emphasise “test preparation”. Instead, schools should focus on creativity and writing development.
Schools should identify pupils who need extra support with writing early on, so that teachers can adapt to meet their needs.
How schools can use the framework
The framework is a substantial resource, giving you a clear understanding of evidence-based approaches to teaching writing. To make the most of it, you’ll need to carefully evaluate your context and what you need to do to move forward. We can support you to make confident decisions and plan how you will put the framework into practice.
To help you navigate the writing framework, our series of explainers breaks it down into easy-to-manage sections. Each focuses on a key area of writing and offers practical tips, reflection questions and action steps you can use to support your school’s ongoing writing journey.
These resources are here to help you reflect, try out new ideas, engage with research and keep building on what works for your pupils and your school.
This explainer is part of a series for teachers and school leaders on how to navigate the writing framework. Explore the other articles.
References
- Tan, C.Y., Chuah, C.Q., Lee, S.T. and Tan, C.S., 2021. Being creative makes you happier: The positive effect of creativity on subjective well-being. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), p.7244.
