Pobble blog

Inclusive writing strategies: How to support every child in your class

Written by Anna from Pobble | 29/04/25 11:18

Teaching writing has always been a challenge, and today’s classrooms are more diverse than ever. Every pupil brings their own strengths, needs and experiences to the page. Yet without the right support, many children still struggle to find their voice as a writer.

Children with additional needs, pupils learning English as an additional language (EAL), and those from disadvantaged backgrounds often face greater barriers to success. If we are serious about creating equitable classrooms, making writing more inclusive is essential.

Understanding the barriers

Writing is a complex process that draws on motor skills, language development, memory and creativity. For children with additional needs, this complexity can feel overwhelming.

EAL learners must master both the language and the craft of writing, while disadvantaged pupils may have had fewer early language experiences, which can affect vocabulary and confidence.

These challenges are real, but with thoughtful strategies and the right support, they are not insurmountable.

Practical inclusive writing strategies

Here are some high-impact, practical strategies to make writing more inclusive in every primary classroom.

1. Scaffold writing with structured, differentiated activities

Rather than expecting all pupils to produce the same outcome, provide structured pathways to success at different levels. Pobble’s daily writing prompts are a powerful tool for this. Each day, you can access (for free):

  • A story starter to spark ideas

  • Sentence starters to support sentence construction

  • A word bank to enrich vocabulary

  • Questions to encourage deeper thinking

  • A sentence challenge to stretch writers further

  • A punctuation challenge to reinforce technical skills

Even better, with a Pobble subscription, these activities are differentiated in three ways. This helps teachers meet every pupil’s needs without increasing workload. Whether a child needs a scaffolded start, vocabulary support or an extra challenge, Pobble provides an entry point for all.

2. Use visual prompts to bridge gaps

A powerful image can often be the best starting point for children who struggle with writing. Visual stimuli provide context, spark imagination and reduce language barriers. Pobble’s daily images offer a consistent and inspiring starting point that helps every learner access the task.

3. Pre-teach vocabulary for confidence

Confidence with vocabulary can be a significant hurdle for many learners. Pre-teaching key words through games, discussion or quick retrieval activities equips all pupils, especially EAL learners, with the tools they need to participate fully. Pobble’s daily word banks are ready-made for this and encourage pupils to use ambitious, topic-related language.

4. Celebrate effort as well as accuracy

Progress in writing is not always about perfect spelling or flawless punctuation. It is about developing ideas, finding a voice and growing resilience. Inclusive classrooms celebrate effort, creativity and risk-taking as much as technical accuracy.

Using Pobble’s publishing tools (available with a subscription) to share and celebrate work, whether it is a single paragraph, a full story or a brilliant sentence, helps every child feel like a real writer.

How Pobble helps teachers create inclusive classrooms

At Pobble, we understand the challenges teachers face when planning writing lessons that meet every learner’s needs. That is why we provide:

  • Daily visual prompts and linked activities to inspire every writer

  • Three levels of differentiation to support, secure and stretch learners

  • Scaffolds that can be gradually reduced to encourage independence

  • Easy publishing options to build motivation and pride in writing

Whether you are supporting children with additional needs, new language learners or working to close the writing gap, Pobble gives you the tools to make writing accessible for all.

Flexible tools designed by teachers, for teachers

As teachers ourselves, we know that flexibility is key to supporting every learner. That’s why Pobble allows you to edit and adapt every lesson to suit your class. You can tweak the story starter, change the font or background colour for visual accessibility, and adjust any part of the resource to meet your pupils’ specific needs. Whether you’re personalising content for neurodiverse learners, simplifying instructions, or making slides more dyslexia-friendly, Pobble gives you the freedom to teach your way.

One small change opens up writing for every child

Making writing more inclusive does not require a complete overhaul. A daily prompt, a new vocabulary strategy or a small scaffold can create powerful opportunities for every pupil.

Ready to support every young writer in your classroom? Explore Pobble’s inclusive writing resources and get started today.