Writers for Life intervention

Accelerate the writing progress and confidence of KS2 pupils – deliver targeted intervention with this online CPD.

Why attend Writers for Life?

A different kind of programme.

Writing provides a valuable vehicle for children to express ideas, thoughts and feelings and to deepen understanding. It plays a vital role in learning and academic attainment.

However, our research has shown that children’s writing enjoyment has almost halved over the past 15 years. In 2025, only 1 in 4 (26.6%) of children aged 8-18 say they enjoy writing in their free time.

This poses long-term implications for learning and literacy outcomes. Writing now ranks as the lowest-performing area in national assessments, falling even below mathematics. Key Stage 2 is a crucial time for children’s learning as they develop the skills they need for transition and ongoing learning.

The Writers for Life intervention aims to accelerate the progress of KS2 pupils who would benefit from concentrated support to boost their writing capability - and connect them with the self-motivation to write. We’ve drawn on core approaches from the whole-school IPEELL programme to meet the needs of 10 children in KS2, providing focused teaching to improve writing quality and support their progress towards age-related expectations.

Who should attend?

This programme has been developed to support practitioners working with KS2, including literacy leads, teachers and heads of English language, teaching assistants and senior management team.

Course logistics and pricing

○ Format: Online via Zoom

○ Dates and timings: Wednesday 25 February, 9:30am - 2:30pm

○ Cost and booking information

• £350 for one attendee
• £280 per additional colleague

Schools that have previously participated in our Improving Writing in KS2 (IPEELL) training can claim a £50 discount per booking.

Access and delivery details

This training consists of one online sessions, delivered on Zoom.

○ 18-24 February: we will send participants a folder of virtual resources

○ 25 February 9:30am - 2:30pm: participants will attend Writers for Life training via Zoom.

Overview of the programme:

• Background links to ‘IPEELL: Improving writing quality in KS2’
• Writers for Life intervention structure
• Key pedagogies
• Session and sequence structures
• Walk through the teaching and learning sequences

○ 26 February - 4 March 2026: we will send participants a set of pupil workbooks in the post.

For information on accessibility or other support, please contact schools@literacytrust.org.uk

What will you gain from the session?

• A day of CPD to help you facilitate this intervention for groups of 10 children.
• Fully planned lesson content focusing on approaches that support children’s independence in writing across a range of text types, planned to reduce cognitive load
• Supporting tools including an intervention facilitator’s manual, 10 pupil workbooks, and a folder full of virtual resources.

Preparing for the session:

You will need:

• A device such as a laptop with a working internet connection, camera and microphone so that you can join the training
• Access to resources on our digital learning platform (we will contact you to grant access prior to the training)
• Pupil workbooks for implementation (we will provide these via post following the programme).

Why choose this course?

Here's what teachers have to say about this CPD:

Research and evidence-based approach:

This training is based on the IPEELL approach, which incorporates Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD).

Course trainer - Catherine Caldwell

Catherine has been working in primary education for over 25 years as a teacher, a Senior Leader and within Local Authorities. As an Independent Consultant for Assessment, Teaching and Learning, she now works across the country with a wide range of Maintained schools and Academy Trusts, providing school improvement support with a focus on the development of the English curriculum for school leaders and teaching colleagues.

She is a Moderation Manager and End of Key Stage 2 External Moderator, as well as supporting the moderation process for all year groups. Catherine has been involved in the construction and delivery of research informed projects and uses both research and practical experiences to meet the individual needs of schools with which she works.

Why the National Literacy Trust?

The National Literacy Trust work with schools across the UK to transform literacy outcomes for every child. Based in the latest research and evidence, our CPD and conferences explore innovative best practice to help you evaluate, plan and take action to improve literacy outcomes in your setting.

Related resources

• Writers for Life free sample resource
• Learn more about Writers for Life
• Children and young people's writing in school in 2025

How can I book?

Please book using the form below. If you have any questions, or are having trouble booking, please get in touch:

• Email: schools@literacytrust.org.uk
• Phone: 07542 228233