In this thought‑provoking conversation, Liz Horobin andSarah Reay are joined by Dr Tim Mills (National Curriculum& Writing Framework advisor) and Dr Francesca Bonafede(National Literacy Trust) to explore the state of writing in UK schoolsand what really shapes young people’s motivation to write.

Fran shares new insights from a major study of 14,700pupils aged 8–18, revealing sharp declines in writing enjoyment as childrenget older, rising anxiety around grammar and accuracy, and the powerful role ofchoice, freedom, and authentic purpose in restoring engagement.

Tim unpacks how curriculum design and the writing frameworkcan support teachers in navigating tensions between assessment requirements andnurturing motivation. Together, the guests discuss:

This rich, research‑informed discussion makes a compellingcase for rethinking how schools approach writing — shifting from perfectproducts to nurturing empowered, confident young writers.