Writing at Upwell Academy
At Upwell Academy, our intent for CUSP Writing is to ensure that all pupils develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to communicate effectively through writing. We aim to provide a high-quality writing curriculum that is evidence-informed and sequenced to build conceptual understanding and writing fluency over time. By focusing on sentence-level mastery, vocabulary development, and purposeful writing outcomes, we strive to cultivate writers for life who can express themselves with clarity and creativity.
Implementation
CUSP Writing is implemented through a structured and progressive curriculum that follows a Reduce and Revisit model. Each year group studies a carefully selected range of text types twice—once in Block A to introduce concepts and once in Block B to consolidate and extend learning. Lessons follow a six-phase instructional model: Connect, Explain, Example, Attempt, Apply, and Challenge. Teachers use high-quality model texts, Knowledge Notes, and explicit vocabulary instruction to support pupils in mastering key writing concepts. Flexible content time is built into the curriculum to allow for responsive teaching and additional practice where needed.
Impact
The impact of CUSP Writing at Upwell Academy is evident in the quality and confidence of pupils' written work. Through systematic revisiting of key concepts and targeted feedback, pupils demonstrate secure understanding and application of writing skills. Assessment is supported by Ingredients for Success checklists and Key Indicators, enabling teachers to identify progress and address gaps effectively. As a result, pupils are well-prepared for the demands of writing across the curriculum and beyond, with a strong foundation for future academic success.