Across many schools, several recurring themes are appearing in inspection feedback based on the new toolkit:
- “Basic knowledge is not secure”
- “Pupils have gaps in foundational skills”
- “Writing lacks fluency and accuracy over time”
The term “secure foundations” appears frequently, but what exactly does this mean? The challenge lies in effectively defining and implementing these foundations.
The problem
In many schools, teachers expose pupils to writing but don't adequately support them to master the craft. While they may complete extended pieces and encounter new vocabulary, a concerning pattern emerges over time:
- Inconsistent sentence construction
- Insecure transcription (spelling and handwriting)
- Lack of fluency
- Fragile independence
Too often, these gaps are not new; they're carried forward from the early years, through KS1 and into KS2.
Because pupils have attempted these foundational aspects of writing but haven't secured them, they progress without the necessary building blocks.
This lack of secure foundations ultimately hampers their writing confidence, accuracy and independence.
What do we mean by “secure foundations”?
We mustn't leave these foundations to chance. We need to clearly define them, deliberately teach them and consistently reinforce them. Secure foundations in writing typically include:
- Sentence construction → pupils can form and control sentences accurately
- Transcription → spelling and handwriting are fluent enough to support composition
- Vocabulary → pupils can select and apply words with precision
- Fluency → writing is not laboured or overly dependent on support
Crucially, these are not background skills. Instead, we need to prioritise them as the core of the writing curriculum.
What schools can do differently
1. Define the key components
It’s essential to be explicit about security at each phase:
- What does a secure sentence look like in Year 2?
- What level of spelling accuracy do we expect in Year 4?
- What does independence mean in Year 6?
This clarity reduces variation and sharpens teaching.
2. Prioritise automaticity, not just coverage
Give pupils time to practise until key elements become automatic. To do this, revisit sentence structures frequently, reinforce spelling patterns over time and practise handwriting until it's fluent.
3. Teach writing in small, focused steps
Rather than asking pupils to do everything at once, break learning down. This includes:
- focusing on one key element per lesson or sequence
- deliberate modelling of that specific focus
- providing structured practice before moving to independent work
This approach ensures pupils secure each element before moving on.
4. Use oracy as a foundation for writing
Pupils should rehearse language before they begin to write by speaking sentence structures aloud, practising vocabulary verbally and forming and refining ideas through discussion. This reduces cognitive load and strengthens outcomes.
5. Ensure immediate application
Use the following strategies to apply new learning straight away:
- Guided writing: following modelling, pupils move to a guided writing exercise
- Scaffolded practice: pupils practise with support before transitioning to independent work
- Timely feedback: ensure that all feedback provided is both timely and specific
This is how to move knowledge effectively from short-term memory to a secure state.
The leadership shift
Securing foundations is about being more precise about what matters most and ensuring you embed it for every pupil.
Are you confident that pupils are securing the foundations of writing, or are they simply encountering them? The strongest schools don't assume foundations or leave them to individual interpretation. They don't rush them, either.
Instead, they teach, practise and embed them over time.
How Leading English can help
At Leading English, we support schools to strengthen writing by securing the foundations that underpin success. We work alongside leaders to:
- define key components across phases
- design sequences that build fluency and control
- develop consistent approaches to modelling and practice
- align expectations so that “secure” is clearly understood
Our focus is on truly securing what matters most, all tailored to your context.
