This Year 6 writing unit from our Real Writing collection is built around an original model text by Jon Mayhew: a formal school report for an imaginary pupil.
All texts in our Real Writing units are written by published children’s authors and follow a carefully mapped framework to ensure structured, high-quality learning.
Each unit comes with two to three weeks of detailed lesson planning, designed to help pupils develop their writing skills confidently and creatively.
Curriculum links
This unit explicitly links to the English curriculum, focusing on vocabulary, grammar and writing skills. Pupils will explore how formal language is used in school reports, practise distinguishing between commonly confused homonyms and apply verb forms to convey precise meaning.
Teachers can also connect this work to other subjects, including science, maths, art and PSHE, as pupils reflect on achievements and set personal targets.
Vocabulary
Statutory spelling words: achieve, available, average, develop, excellent, suggest
Tier 2 words: capable, curriculum, deteriorate, effort, impatient, perseverance, progress, study
Resources
The unit includes:
- Model text in PDF (plain, illustrated, annotated)
- Annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint presentations
- Vocabulary cards and match activities
- Circle time question cards
- Ideas and margin planning sheets
- Writing skills checklists
- Posters for report features and formal writing guidance
Key teaching activities
The unit unfolds over three phases. Phase 1 involves engaging with the model text, identifying features of formal writing and discussing vocabulary and grammar. Activities include circle time discussions, vocabulary matching and comprehension exercises.
In phase 2, pupils will explore the subjunctive form, levels of formality, adverbials, semi-colons, hyphens and verb forms. Role-play activities allow pupils to practise delivering a formal oral report.
In the final phase, pupils will plan and write their own formal school report, structuring their work using margin planners.
Outcomes
By the end of this unit, pupils will:
- Understand and use formal language and the subjunctive form in writing
- Distinguish between commonly confused words and use precise vocabulary choices
- Apply a variety of verb forms to express meaning clearly
- Produce a coherent, detailed school report about themselves or a peer
- Edit and improve their work, using advanced punctuation and cohesive devices
This unit equips pupils with practical writing skills while supporting cross-curricular links, helping them to express ideas clearly and formally, both orally and in writing.