Primary Writing Skills by Age: What Should My Child Know by Year 6?

Writing plays a crucial role in your child’s educational journey, but it can sometimes be challenging to understand the expectations at each level. If you’ve ever questioned, "Should my child be writing in paragraphs at this stage?” or "Is it typical for spelling to still be difficult?” you’re not the only one!

In this blog, we’ll break down the key writing skills your child should be developing throughout primary school, especially by the end of Year 6. Whether your child loves writing stories or finds it a bit of a challenge, this guide will help you understand what they’re working towards and how you can support them along the way.

Why Writing Skills Matter in Primary School

Writing is more than neat handwriting and correct punctuation. It’s about expressing ideas, organising thoughts, and communicating clearly. Strong writing helps children across the curriculum, from explaining their thinking in maths to answering comprehension questions in English.

By the end of primary school, children are expected to write with confidence, clarity, and creativity. Let’s take a look at what that journey looks like.

Writing Milestones by Age

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

In the early years, the focus is on building confidence and basic writing skills.

• Writing simple sentences that make sense
• Using capital letters and full stops
• Spelling common words correctly (and phonetically for trickier ones)
• Writing short stories, instructions, and simple recounts
• Beginning to use conjunctions like "and” or "because”

Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)

At this stage, children start developing more complex sentence structure and organisation.

• Writing in paragraphs
• Using a range of punctuation (commas, question marks, speech marks)
• Planning, writing, and editing their own work
• Choosing words for effect (e.g. "whispered” instead of "said”)
• Beginning to use fronted adverbials and expanded noun phrases

Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6)

By Year 6, children are expected to write with confidence, accuracy, and style.

• Writing for a range of purposes and audiences (e.g. narratives, reports, persuasive letters)
• Using advanced punctuation (colons, semi colons, dashes, brackets)
• Varying sentence structure and using figurative language
• Organising writing clearly with cohesive devices (e.g. "however”, "meanwhile”, "in addition”)
• Editing and improving their writing independently

Common Areas Where Children May Need Support

Even confident writers sometimes need extra support. Here are a few areas where children may benefit from extra practice:

• Spelling tricky words or remembering rules
• Structuring longer pieces of writing
• Using punctuation accurately
• Generating ideas for creative writing
• Proofreading and editing their own work

How You Can Support Writing at Home

You don’t need to be a teacher to help your child improve their writing. Here are a few easy and enjoyable ways to support them at home:

1. Encourage regular reading. The more they read, the better they write
2. Keep a writing journal. Short stories, diary entries, or comic strips all count
3. Play writing games. Prompts, story dice, and silly sentence builders can make writing fun
4. Talk about their writing. Ask questions like "What happens next?” or "Why did you choose that word?”
5. Praise their effort. Even if there are mistakes, celebrate their creativity and progress

Final Thoughts

Every child develops at their own pace, but having a clear idea of what’s expected can help you support them with confidence. Whether your child is working on using full stops or crafting exciting adventure stories, every step matters.

At Primary Tutor Project, we support children in developing the skills, confidence, and enjoyment needed to become strong writers. 

Curious how we can help your child become a more confident writer? Our Writers Clubs are designed to support, stretch, and inspire. With tailored support, weekly writing challenges, and expert feedback from qualified UK teachers, our UK Writers Club (for learners in the UK) and International Writers Club (for ESL learners abroad) offer a fun, structured way to boost writing skills and confidence. Learn more about our UK Writers Club or discover the International English Writers Club today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my child is not writing in paragraphs yet?

That’s okay. Paragraph writing usually becomes more consistent in Years 3 and 4. With support and practice, most children gain confidence in structuring their ideas over time.

How much should my child write in Year 6?

There is no set word count, but children in Year 6 are expected to write full pieces of work across different genres. This could be a page or more, depending on the task. The focus is on quality, structure, and clarity.

What can I do if my child dislikes writing?

Try to make writing fun and low pressure. Use games, silly story prompts, or ask them to write about topics they love. Praise their ideas, not just their spelling or handwriting.

Is it normal for spelling to still be tricky in Year 6?

Yes. Spelling is one of the most common areas for ongoing development. Children are still learning complex rules and patterns, and regular practice helps.

When should I consider a writing tutor?

If your child lacks confidence, avoids writing tasks, or struggles with things like structure, grammar, or creativity, a tutor can offer personalised support to build those skills gently and effectively.