Y3 - Working towards the expected standard

The pupil can, after discussion with the teacher:

• write in a range of  non-narrative forms
• write simple, coherent narratives† 
• use the range of punctuation taught up to and including Y2 mostly correctly^ 
• use co-ordination (e.g. or / and / but) and some subordination (e.g. when / if / that / because) to join clauses
• spell many common exception words* 
• use phonic knowledge and other knowledge of spelling to spell many words relating to the KS1 programme of study correctly
• form capital letters and lower case letters correctly.

Y3 - Working at the expected standard

The pupil can:

• write for a range of real purposes and audiences, beginning to develop an awareness of appropriate language and form (e.g. letter; report writing)
• create settings, characters and plot in narrative†
• use speech punctuation correctly when following modelled writing
• use some conjunctions ( e.g. and, because, when, even though), adverbs (e.g. often, quickly, very), and prepositions (e.g. next to, underneath, with) for cohesion and to add detail
• use past and present tense mostly correctly (e.g. ran, wander) and begin to use other verb forms (e.g. will go, have eaten)
• use the range of punctuation taught up to and including Y3 mostly correctly^ (e.g.

apostrophes for possession, commas in lists)

• spell correctly words from learning in previous year groups, and some words from the year 3 / year 4 spelling list,* using phonic knowledge and other knowledge of spelling such as morphology, to spell words as accurately as possible
• spell most common exception words*
• increase the legibility, consistency and quality of handwriting (e.g. by ensuring that downstrokes of letters are parallel and equidistant)
• join letters with diagonal and horizontal strokes where appropriate.²

Y3 - Working at greater depth within the expected standard

The pupil can: 

• write effectively and coherently for different purposes, drawing on their reading to inform the vocabulary and grammar of their writing
• use detail and vocabulary to interest and engage the reader 
• use paragraphs
• improve the effect of their writing by making changes when editing (e.g. re-ordering sentences and adapting vocabulary).