“I’m enjoying teaching English for the first time in years.”
– Holy Family Catholic Primary
“The scheme has transformed the culture of writing at our school.”
– St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary
Mastery in Writing is an inspirational teaching and learning programme that makes life simpler for teachers and children. Our test and learn phase is empowering Year 2 teachers to champion a different, ‘less is more’ approach and many schools are already reaping the rewards.
Get involved today and lay the foundations for long-term success in writing at your school.
Mastery in Writing is a game-changing teaching and learning programme for English.
It is being developed for teachers by teachers through a collaboration with primary schools across the North West of England.
The scheme, which provides detailed unit plans with supporting slide presentations and lesson resources, aims to bring about rapid and sustained progress for young writers. It is a practical resource through which former Deputy Head and Y6 teacher Mike Cain brings to life the concepts of his successful Bloomsbury book, Teaching for Mastery in Writing.
The scheme’s unique approach prioritises pupil and teacher enjoyment and is founded on presenting grammar and writing skills in a logical order. It is delivered through quality texts, rigorous practice, active learning and engaging opportunities for PSHE-linked talk in preparation for writing.
RAISING ASPIRATIONS IN LEARNING
The pilot project has been in progress since September 2024, with each participating school having received the complete Year 2 planning and resource pack. Ongoing monitoring and feedback following use of the planning in class means the scheme can be refined to ensure maximum impact.
Finalisation of Year 1 and Year 3 planning is underway, with resources being distributed to participating schools on a rolling basis. The test and learn phase will transition to full implementation in Years 1, 2, and 3 by autumn 2026. The scheme will then continue to be rolled out from Year 4 upwards.
Each of the finalised units will comprise the following:
Detailed Planning notes
Slide presentation to support teaching and learning in the classroom
Resource materials for specific activities on specific days.
Early impact is tremendously exciting, but don’t just take our word for it. Take a look at some of the feedback received to date. Not only has teacher confidence and children’s progress markedly improved without exception, the programme and its approach to teaching and learning is also winning hearts and minds.
The careful approach to development and implementation is enabling Year 2 teachers to become champions for the programme alongside English Leaders. This is crucially important as it paves the way for expertise to grow organically within schools, with a support system firmly in place.
Top Marks Literacy is looking to expand the number of schools involved in the pilot. Get in touch with Mike today to start a new writing journey in your school.
YEAR 1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
YEAR 2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
YEAR 3
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
YEAR 4
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
In addition to the pilot project and the sample resources ready to download NOW, high-quality plans and resource materials will be available for year groups 1-3 from autumn 2026.
Sample Resources
High-Quality Plans
Resource Materials
Coming in Autumn 2026
Simply email Mike Cain to register an interest.
Mike Cain – Author
After starting his career in newspaper journalism and corporate communications, Mike’s writing and communications expertise found their rightful home when he began to teach. A long-time Deputy Headteacher and Year 6 teacher, English Leader and LA Lead Moderator, Mike became passionate about developing accessible ways of moving children on as writers and has spent many years exploring the concept of mastery teaching and learning in English. He has developed an excellent reputation as a highly effective local authority and private consultant to primary schools.
Helen Cain – Product Development
Helen has taught every year group from Reception to Year 6. Fluent in English and French grammar principles, Helen has been the English Leader at her current school for many years. Her success which, as well as English has included roles as curriculum innovation lead, Key Stage One Manager and Phonics Leader, is founded on an ability to see challenges from the teachers’ perspective and work positively towards solutions.
Our children now have a much greater understanding of sentence construction and the purpose of their writing. We have moved so far away from the "I don't know why you’re asking me to do this” to children wanting to talk about and show off their new skills.
The much stronger foundations in sentence construction is giving children the confidence to explore how they can express themselves in writing.
Mastery in Writing is the organised, funnelled, streamlined and refined approach that I think all teachers of Primary English were looking for. I’m enjoying teaching English much more than I have done for years!”
We’re ready to help
Book A Free Discovery Call
Want to learn more? Fill in your contact details below and one of the team will be in touch.