Year 3 writing project at St John the Baptist Catholic Multi-Academy Trust

In September, I embarked on an inspiring journey to lead a writing initiative for Year 3 students across our Trust. Our goal was to bridge the gap between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 expectations, boosting outcomes for this cohort, given their lower Key Stage 1 data compared to other year groups.

Navigating a multi-school project aimed at enhancing writing education, we understood the need for flexibility — allowing each school to tailor the approach to its unique needs.

The first step was to assemble a team of experienced English subject leaders, experts, and colleagues familiar with assessing writing in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. This team shaped the project and provided ongoing support. We also collaborated with VNET early on, whose knowledge and expertise offered helpful insights as the project began to take shape.

Importantly, we also benefit from having a Trust Executive Team who continue to support and advocate for the initiative. This helps to generate and maintain buy-in and strong communication.