EEF Writing Roots Trial

We are working with the Education Endowment Foundation and independent evaluators, RAND Europe and the University of Leeds on an national trial testing the impact of applying a book-based approach to teaching writing, using diverse, high-quality children’s literature to engage Primary-aged pupils in writing.

The project

What is Writing Roots?
Writing Roots is a whole-school programme aimed at improving writing outcomes for pupils in Year 1 – Year 6. Through daily one-hour lessons, pupils engage with diverse texts, developing their writing skills via interactive activities, grammar teaching, and opportunities for authentic writing experiences.

Why is EEF funding the project? 

Writing is a crucial skill and a facilitator of both personal and academic success. More research is needed to identify successful approaches that align with promising evidence and address priorities in school. Ofsted’s 2022 research review of English teaching has identified motivation as a factor that is ​‘correlated strongly both with pupils’ attitudes to writing and their skill as writers’. The EEF-funded evidence review of writing approaches in Years 1 – 13 identified programmes that attempt to build students’ motivation to write and enjoy self-expression as among the key characteristics of programmes that produced good writing outcomes. The programme aims to provide authentic opportunities to write for different purposes and audiences, echoing the review’s finding that opportunities to interact through writing with valued peers and teachers could help foster enjoyment of writing.

The funding for this project and evaluation is from the Department for Education’s Accelerator Fund, which aims to expand the use of evidence-based programmes.

When will the evaluation report be due? 

The evaluation report will be published in Spring 2027.

How's it going so far? 

• 51 treatment schools
• 51 control schools
• 18 Insets delivered across over 50 settings
• Year-group specific training delivered to all teaching staff
• Onboarding meetings with link consultant carried out
• Beautiful writing is already emerging