What is the research evidence on writing? - Department for Education

Table of contents
1. Key findings ............................................................................................................ 3
2. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 7
3. <strong>What</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> profile of pupils’ achievement in writing? ......................................... 7
3.1 Pre-school attainment ..................................................................................... 8
3.2 Key Stage 1 ...................................................................................................... 8
3.3 Key Stage 2 ...................................................................................................... 9
3.4 Key Stage 3 ...................................................................................................... 9
3.5 Key Stage 4 .................................................................................................... 10
3.6 International <strong>evidence</strong> .................................................................................. 10
3.7 <strong>What</strong> are <strong>the</strong> predictors of pupils’ attainment and progress in writing? ..... 11
4. Teaching of writing .............................................................................................. 12
4.1 Approaches for effective, whole-class teaching ........................................... 12
4.2 Approaches for struggling writers and pupils with Special Educational Need
and D<strong>is</strong>abilities (SEND) ............................................................................................. 15
4.3 Evidence from classroom observations and school inspections................... 16
4.4 <strong>What</strong> do we know about teaching practice and pupils’ views in primary
schools? .................................................................................................................... 17
5. <strong>What</strong> do we know about <strong>the</strong> gender gap in writing? .......................................... 19
5.1 <strong>What</strong> are <strong>the</strong> reasons for <strong>the</strong> gender gap in writing? ................................... 19
5.2 Strategies for helping boys with writing ....................................................... 20
6. Writing as an activity out of school ..................................................................... 21
6.1 The role of new technology in literacy outcomes ......................................... 21
6.2 Enjoyment of writing ..................................................................................... 22
6.3 Attitudes to writing ....................................................................................... 23
6.4 Frequency and types of writing activity ........................................................ 25
7. <strong>What</strong> are <strong>the</strong> <strong>evidence</strong> gaps? .............................................................................. 26
8. References ........................................................................................................... 27
9. Annex A: detailed analys<strong>is</strong> of pupils’ achievement in writing ............................. 31
10. Annex B: examples of techniques within <strong>the</strong> four purposes of writing .............. 42
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