Improving Writing in Key Stage 2 (IPEELL)

Transforming writing

This course helps teachers develop strategies to take their Key Stage 2 pupils beyond scaffolded writing.

Pupils will build confidence, improve self-assessment skills, and learn how to to tackle writing challenges across different text types.

"Participating pupils made approximately nine months' additional progress compared to similar pupils who did not participate in the intervention."

EEF, Using Self-Regulation to Improve Writing, 2014

About the course

This course is aimed at teachers and literacy leaders working in Key Stage 2.

  • Explore a learning environment outside the classroom

    A class visit sparks imagination and will provide your pupils with a memory they want to write about.

  • Use transferable approaches to aid the organisation of writing

    Discover methods to support the organisation of pupils' writing in any form and across all subject areas.

  • Encourage pupils to take ownership of their progress using self-assessment tools, peer assessment and goal setting

    Learn how to support pupils' meta-cognitive skills so that they are able to identify success criteria and acknowledge areas for improvement.

  • Develop strategies to build positive attitudes toward writing in the classroom

    Motivational messages are used successfully in a wide range of contexts, but rarely in academic subjects. Discover the empowering impact of this approach when setting writing tasks.

"The wealth of knowledge and experience that has been passed to me is invaluable – this training has really focused me as an English leader and has inspired me to improve writing.”

Participant from Brinswood Manor Primary School
Boy writing in classroom

Course structure and pricing

Structure

In alignment with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) school guide to implementation, this CPD is implemented as a process, with every aspect planned and executed in stages.

The course is delivered over 1.5 days spread across one or two terms to allow time for action research.

Day 1

  • Key principles of developing writing strategies with self-regulation
  • In-depth look at, and suggested activities for, the six stages of the IPEELL approach
  • Ways to build pupils' confidence and change their attitudes toward writing
  • Using peer assessment so pupils can learn from and support each other (aligns with EEF toolkit: feedback)
  • Next steps - implementing the approach in school and planning a memorable experience

Day 2 (half day)

  • Reflect on experiences of using the new approach to writing in the classroom
  • Evaluate the impact IPEELL has had on your pupils' writing
  • Showcase your pupils' independent work based on their memorable experience

Costs

To promote collaborative practice, we encourage two teachers including the literacy lead from each school to participate.

  • £350 for the first participant, £250 for each colleague*
  • We invite a head or senior leader from each school to attend the first session free of charge
  • Follow up support visits to your school are also available at an additional cost of £350
  • Attendance includes one year's membership of the National Literacy Trust, giving all teachers in the school access to a range of resources.

*existing National Literacy Trust Members receive a £50 discount per school

Express an interest

Could you host?

We are always looking for enthusiastic schools across the UK to host our training programmes. We ask you to:

Provide a teaching space with IT facilities

Print resources for the sessions

Organise lunch where required

In return, we offer a complimentary place on the course. This is also a great opportunity for you to position yourself as a research-led school.

Express an interest
Teachers working together

Resources related to writing

Consider becoming a member of the National Literacy Trust to access our full library of downloadable resources and evaluation tools.

Become a National Literacy Trust member