Falkirk project: A framework for functional writing, focusing on conferencing

Two Falkirk secondary schools, Denny High and St Mungo’s High, co-created a framework for functional writing which revitalised pupils' confidence and engagement in writing. This was achieved by addressing the various problems that can be associated with writing.

Prior to the project, it was apparent that many children saw writing as a chore. As a result there was a lack of enthusiasm and commitment. Often the ‘finished piece’ was presented poorly, full of errors and too short. The Falkirk project managed to reverse this negative writing culture by teaching the process of writing, sharing expectations and success criteria.

Conferencing

One of the techniques used to accomplish this was conferencing. This process involves children working in twos and threes to read and discuss their own and other pupils’ writing with a view to improving the piece of writing. Once pupils have been set a task and teaching targets/success criteria have been made clear, they move on to the thinking and planning stage. It is at this stage that conferencing can be useful.

Why conferencing?

Pupils can help each other to see whether or not their plans will help them to meet the success criteria. Conferencing encourages pupils to improve and develop their plans. There is an expectation for pupils to expand initial ideas and to receive feedback from their peers and teacher. After this, pupils should be allowed quiet time for review, improvement and then writing. Once the draft or piece of work is completed, there could be another opportunity for conferencing.

Benefits of conferencing:

• The pupils help and learn from each other
• Reduces teacher dependency
• Frees teacher for quality interventions
• Increases pupil self-esteem.

Methodology

The following table shows how the use of conferencing fits into the project's four-stage approach to writing:

This methodology is part of a strategy which supports a move towards curricular change and the introduction of Standard Grade in S2. It will allow the delivery of a two-year Higher course, where pupils can study texts in depth and develop skills to a greater degree than is possible at present. Better writers will be produced, with the ability to think and work more independently, and to use their skills throughout the whole curriculum.

Next steps

There was enough confidence in the merit of conferencing to widen this out to other departments. The methodology worked well in the English and Social Subjects departments of both schools, so a continuity in this approach would benefit the pupils, even more so if it was reinforced across the curriculum.