What exactly is "writing"?

[LublieAva]

I know its a funny question but when does "writing" as far a primary school is concerned become less about the size and shape of the letters, or the use of punctuation and more about the quality of the ideas?
At the end of KS1, does it matter at all what a child writes as long as they know how to do all 26 letters and know when to use capital letters?
What about at the end of KS2? Does "writing" mean story composition by then?

The care about writing content pretty much from day 1. The writing assessment at the end of KS1 is not about how pretty the letters look - it is all about content and punctuation etc.

Often quoted is 'VCOP' which stands for Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers and Punctuation. Which is about writing long sentences with correct punctuation.

In fact they don't really care at all if the writing is legible.....

Yes...my DC is 6 and in year 2...he is already being asked to write simple stories...all the parents in our class were told off for helping the kids to spell... the teacher said they have to be allowed to make mistakes!

Its amazing how different schools are. My DC is 6 and year 2 as well. I haven't heard anything about him being asked to actually compose something this year.

You can help him write some yourself...then he will have had a head start. We had to re-write a fairytale with DC as the main character...mine did Jack and The Beanstalk...totally odd story with DC stumbling acros a beanstalk at the zoo...deciding he was "too tired" to climb it and so makig his teddy dig it up to take home for Mummy!

ValentinCrimble - you are right, of course and I will do it with him. I am beginning to wonder what they actually do in school because I was the one who taught DS to read, I am the one who teaches him maths and now I am going to add writing to my list.
The school has him from 9 - 3, but at this rate he is going to do all his real work after school as well as playing time, any clubs, dinner and getting ready for bed.
Its actually getting difficult to find time to get everything done, especially as I have two DC.

I care very much if the writing is legible there is no point in writing if others are unable to read it.
I also expect my Y2 to be able to write more than simple stories. VCOP is really for KS2 in KS1 & reception GHaSP comes first (Grammar, Handwriting, Spelling & Punctuation). Mine are writing a character description of Prospero this week

Mrz, as a teacher you say that there is no point in writing if others are unable to read it. Funny, because I can hardly understand my DS teacher's writing. I have to look at it from different angles in order to get what she wants. This is when she writes comments in the reading book. I hope she writes better for the kids.

Writing is a form of communication and if it fails to communicate it is pointless.

Lublie....this is my latest worry! My DC came home witha list of spelling at the weekend and as the kind mrz pointed out to me on a thread I had at the time...it seemed like my DC was struggling because he had simply never been taught the sounds of the words! So I ended up teaching him phonics...not my job...I am not qualified to teachh in that way.