How to navigate the writing framework
The writing framework is non-statutory guidance for primary school teachers and leaders, published by the Department for Education. These articles help you to navigate the writing framework. 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.
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What is the writing framework and how will it help schools?
Literacy expert Sarah Scott explains what the Department for Education's writing framework is and how primary school teachers and leaders can use it to support your school's writing journey.
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Why writing matters and how schools can strengthen it
By putting writing at the heart of your teaching, you set your pupils up for success not just in the classroom, but wherever life takes them. This article helps teachers and school leaders to use the Department for Education's writing framework. It covers the foundations of transcription and composition and how working memory and executive function play a part in writing. It explores what makes writing complex and challenging, and helps you to reflect and act on ways to target your teaching where it matters most.
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Four ways to strengthen writing in Reception
Reception is a crucial time for building the foundations of writing, but it’s just one part of a much bigger picture. This article helps teachers and school leaders to use the Department for Education's writing framework. It explores four ways you can strengthen writing in Reception through fostering a love of language, creating a writing community, mastering transcription, and giving explicit handwriting instruction to prepare children for Key Stage 1 and beyond.
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How to teach handwriting
By making handwriting a core part of your teaching, you give pupils the confidence and fluency they need to thrive as writers. This article helps teachers and school leaders understand why handwriting matters and how it underpins writing success. You’ll find practical guidance on developing handwriting skills, supporting physical development, and weaving regular practice into daily routines, so that every pupil can build strong foundations for writing, both in school and beyond.
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How to teach spelling: a crucial part of writing
Putting spelling at the centre of your teaching will help pupils unlock confidence and creativity in their writing. We offer practical guidance to show why strong, explicit spelling instruction matters from the very start, and how it supports writing success. Discover clear strategies, engaging activities and prompts to help you reflect on your approach. Prioritising spelling means every pupil can move past the basics and enjoy the creative side of writing.
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Why sentence-building is a foundation of great writing – and how to teach it
As highlighted in the Department for Education’s writing framework, sentences are the foundation of great writing and help pupils become confident writers. Our guidance explores why sentence-building matters, how it supports pupils to construct clear, engaging writing, and what effective teaching looks like in practice. With strong sentence skills, pupils can write with clarity and confidence.
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How to help pupils master composition in writing
Effective writing is a process, moving through stages such as planning, drafting, editing and sharing. Our advice sets out how guiding pupils through each step helps them organise ideas, build confidence and refine their language. By supporting every stage, you'll help pupils develop the skills to express themselves clearly and creatively in their writing.