Research School Network: Improving Writing in Secondary Schools Evidence-based strategies for improving writing across the curriculum

Writing is challenging, for teachers and students alike.

Writing tasks, including high mark questions in exams, can require students to recall and marshal large quantities of information, communicate with accuracy and group ideas in structured ways. To complicate things further, different disciplines often require different structures and forms of writing.

A common theme running through effective forms of writing instruction is that teachers can support writing by breaking down complex tasks and helping students to become as fluent as possible in the processes involved in writing.

Programme Aims

This three-part programme is designed to support schools in improving pupils’ writing by implementing approaches informed by research evidence, relevant to your setting, and supported by high-quality professional development.

Throughout the programme there will be a strong emphasis on good implementation, and supporting you to plan ahead:

What needs to change in terms of how writing is supported?
What is amenable to change?
What would be a good starting point for your setting?

What professional development and resources might be required to promote structured change?