I get the goal of the framework, and I did then as well. It just isn't expressed well, and it's even worse in execution. I think kids are smart enough to handle a more ambiguous "five-section essay". All the same rules apply, but marks off can then be directed towards lack of clarity or belaboring a point. Truly bad writing, y'know?

Maybe it's a matter of opinion, but I believe that the grading process is a sufficient guardrail. When the theories are made rigid, it's usually just to ease the grading. I'm okay with that in the right context. In this instance, however, I think it's self-defeating.