At Chacewater School, we follow the TPAT Writing Curriculum, a curriculum developed by teachers, for teachers, to provide a coherent and ambitious approach to writing for all children. As part of Truro and Penwith Academy Trust (TPAT), we are committed to ensuring that every pupil experiences a high-quality writing curriculum that builds knowledge, skills and confidence progressively throughout their school journey.
Our writing curriculum places purpose and audience at its heart. Children are given meaningful opportunities to write for real reasons and real audiences, helping them to make thoughtful choices about language, structure and tone. This approach increases engagement, motivation and enjoyment in writing.
We believe that talk is the foundation of effective writing. Through rich discussion, high-quality texts and carefully chosen stimuli, pupils develop ideas, vocabulary and confidence before writing. Oracy is explicitly taught and used to help children rehearse sentences, explore language and organise their thoughts.
Writing is taught as a process. Children learn how to plan, draft, review and improve their work, understanding that successful writing develops over time. They are supported to create clear, well-organised texts and to develop their own writer's voice with increasing independence.
Alongside composition, we place a strong emphasis on the essential skills of handwriting, spelling and sentence construction. Through carefully sequenced teaching, children develop the fluency and confidence needed to communicate their ideas effectively and enjoy writing across the curriculum.
By adopting the TPAT Writing Curriculum, we ensure high expectations for all pupils while retaining the flexibility to reflect the unique context, community and values of Chacewater School.
Spelling at Chacewater School
At Chacewater School, we have moved away from traditional weekly spelling tests and now use the Emile Education Spelling Programme to help children become confident and successful spellers.
Research shows that children learn spellings more effectively when they practise little and often, revisit words regularly, and apply spelling patterns in different ways. Rather than memorising a list of words for a Friday test, children build their understanding through a series of engaging activities that help spellings become embedded in their long-term memory.
The Emile programme teaches spelling through four carefully designed stages:
- Multiple Choice – recognising correct spellings and spelling patterns.
- Anagrams – exploring letter patterns and word structure.
- Typing Practice – accurately spelling words independently.
- Spelling Battles – a fun, game-based challenge where children apply and consolidate the words and patterns they have learned.
Spelling Battles replace traditional weekly spelling tests. In these interactive challenges, children defend Emile's village from the "Scramblings" by correctly spelling words they have already practised. This approach allows teachers to assess spelling knowledge in a motivating and low-pressure way while encouraging regular revision of previously taught spelling patterns.
Our aim is for children to become confident, accurate and independent spellers who understand how words work, rather than simply learning spellings for a test and then forgetting them. By using Emile, we can provide immediate feedback, personalised practice and enjoyable learning experiences that support every child in making progress.
