About the NATE National Writing Project
The project is being led by Jenifer Smith, University of East Anglia, and by Simon Wrigley, English adviser for Buckinghamshire County Council and chair of NATE 2004-6. The project is gathering evidence of the effect of this model of professional development. Early findings were published in the 2010 autumn edition of EDM (see below) and the results are already extremely encouraging.
Jenifer's research paper - about the findings from the project - will be published in 2012 in NATE's journal, English in Education.
| ‘The project has changed my attitude to writing in that it has made it far more real to me. Instead of being an idle scribble, a vague intention and an indulgence, it has become necessary and valued and a part of what I do. A writing group is such a god send because it provides a self-sustaining forum of positive readers who help to break down the fears that shadow creativity.’ (Secondary teacher) | 'The project has significantly changed the way I teach writing. It has provided inside knowledge of the challenges faced by a writer, as well as the tools and fortitude needed to be successful. A major change for my teaching of the subject has been the dialogue I have encouraged around the writing process.' (Primary teacher) |
Writing Groups Work Indoors (Response Partners, Jan 2010)
This project is a federation of teachers’ writing groups, based upon the 30-year success of the US National Writing Project and the experience of successful NATE writing groups. NATE’s ‘grass roots’ project provides English teachers and members with regular face-to-face and online meeting space. There are opportunities to practise writing and responding, sharing observations about children as writers and reflecting on research and the teaching of writing.
...and outdoors (Whiteleaf Hill, May 2010)
Key principles:
- Teachers as agents of reform;
- Professional development through collaboration ;
- Sustained partnership in research, analysis and experience;
- Free and structured approaches in teaching writing;
- Leading teachers collecting and disseminating evidence of effective practice
If you are interested in taking part and are part of a NATE-related writing group, please contact Ian McNeily of NATE.