Teach Primary Issue 19.6

T E ACH RE AD I NG & WR I T I NG www.teachwire.net | 73 essential. Through learning transcription early and well, children gain the mental space to focus on ideas. The framework advises explicit teaching of handwriting and phonics-based spelling from Reception, reinforcing these skills into KS1 and beyond. The result: automatic transcription skills that support fluent writing. 2. Sentences over grammar Rather than teaching grammar in isolation, the framework recommends sentence-level instruction, using grammar and punctuation as tools to convey meaning within context. Pupils are encouraged to compose orally before writing, as they build transcription fluency. The process of writing is seen to be essential, with publishing or sharing identified as the final step. 3. The Reception year The framework cites Reception as the most vital year for establishing strong writing foundations, where children learn letter formation, correct pencil grip and basic spelling or transcription skills. The framework is clear: quality over quantity. Pupils should not be expected to write long pieces until their transcription skills are secure. 4. Encoding vs decoding Building on the success of the Reading Framework, the newWriting Framework frames phonics not just as a reading tool, but as a foundation for spelling, especially into Key Stage 2. It reinforces the Simple View of Writing, comprising of two equally vital components: transcription and composition. Dictation is recommended weekly to solidify spelling and sentence structure. 5. Writing culture Leadership plays a central role. Headteachers and literacy leads are expected to: • Cultivate a positive writing culture, where pupils write meaningfully every day. • Sequence a coherent curriculum from Reception to Year 6. This means schools should identify writing opportunities, map contexts and look at planned coverage. • Ensure all teachers (not just subject leads) are trained to teach writing effectively. This is not a prescriptive scheme or checklist, but a flexible, evidence-informed guide with reflection points for teacher development. Impact on teaching For Reception teachers: • Prioritise handwriting posture, letter formation and grip • Teach phonics-based spelling explicitly, from the outset • Use oral composition to rehearse sentences before pupils write For KS1 and KS2 teachers: • Sequence lessons so transcription remains automatic, and fluency grows • Continue phonics and dictation to consolidate spelling and sentence structure • Embed grammar teaching within composition, not as isolated lessons • Ensure audience and purpose sit at the heart of writing For school leaders: • Designate literacy leads to oversee integration of reading and writing • Promote writing across all subjects • Offer CPD aligned to the framework so teachers can implement ideas confidently The Writing Framework represents a major shift in primary writing pedagogy. By centring transcription skills, emphasising oracy, prioritising sentence instruction, and weaving in phonics-based spelling through KS2, it offers a research-grounded roadmap to develop fluent, confident writers. Its layered approach, starting with Reception and coupled with a focus on equity, leadership and teacher training, aims to raise writing standards across England’s primary classrooms. TP Unlocking the WRITER WITHIN Lynn Sear is a former primary teacher and writing moderator, and is now the co-CEO and co-founder of Literacy Tree. LYNN SEAR What does the government’s newWriting Framework mean for primary literacy? T his July, the DfE published The Writing Framework, a landmark 150-page guidance document for primary schools in England. Following on from the Reading Framework in 2023, this non-statutory guide aims to transform how writing is taught in primary schools, offering practical, evidence-based strategies fromReception through Key Stage 2. The breakdown 1. Foundations first At the heart of the framework is a recognition that writing is cognitively demanding. Pupils’ working memory must manage letter formation, spelling, sentence structure and composition simultaneously, making automaticity in handwriting and spelling literacytree.com