‘Pirate Writing’ is a whole school initiative adopted by Roman Road Primary School to improve writing standards. It is a strategy which emphasises the development of the writer’s voice. Children will be introduced to the concept:
‘If you can’t speak it…you can’t write it’
Using a variety of techniques, children are encouraged to ‘steal’ the best ideas to use in their own writing.

The main focuses are:
• 4 basic skills (GHASP: Grammar,Handwriting,Spelling,Punctuation)
• VCOP (Vocabulary,Connectives,Openers,Punctuation)
• Rainbow Reading and Writing using WoW words:
Red words WoW doing words (verbs)
Purple words WoW descriptive words (adjectives/adverbs)
Blue words WoW connectives
Orange words WoW openers
Green words WoW additional phrases and clauses
• Using OSIE (Openers, Senses, Imagery, Emotions)
• Stealing the best ideas from other writers
• Talk homework
• Assessment for Learning strategies:
(peer/self assessment, paired talk, questioning)
• Creativity & linking to Creative Themes – making the writing process meaningful
• Addressing all learning styles
• Specific Targets (of which the child is aware)
• Lots of praise and rewards
• Silence for writing (where appropriate)
• Tracking of progress

Pirate Writing culminates in a whole morning session every alternate week:
Lesson 1:‘Build up’ to writing using a variety of lively games/whole class modelling and planning/use of Rainbow Writing etc.
Lesson 2: ‘Pirate Writing’ session. The atmosphere of the room is altered to create an environment conducive to creativity.
We hope to become excellent writers and 'steal' all the best ideas...like pirates!