Transcription: handwriting

We follow a cursive handwriting approach. All adults are expected to use cursive (or pre-cursive) handwriting at all times (i.e. when marking books and on the whiteboard). All pupils (from Year 2 onwards) are expected to attempt to use cursive handwriting at all times.

There are 4 simple rules to cursive handwriting:

• Rule 1: Start every letter on the line (entrance stroke).

• Rule 2: Do not take your pen or pencil off the paper until you have finished the word.

• Rule 3: Finish every letter on the line (exit stroke).

• Rule 4: Do not join capital letters.

In Year 1 through to Year 6, handwriting is taught most days for 10 minutes. Some pupils receive additional one-on-one interventions. All learning environments (both inside and outside the classroom) will reflect school handwriting policy. This includes displays and pre-printed alphabets. Our handwriting progression is a follows:

Year R - PRECURSIVE

• Show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements. They handle equipment and tools effectively, including pencils for writing (ELG expected).

• They hold paper in position and use their preferred hand for writing, using a correct pencil grip. They are beginning to be able to write on lines and control letter size (ELG exceeding).

• Basic letter formation:

Stage 1a – around letters, down letters, curly letters, zig-zag letters.

Stage 1b – floating letters, tall floating letters, wet letters. Form digits 0-9.

Stage 2 – letter formation with flicks - begin to form lower-case letters in the correct direction, starting and finishing in the right place.

Year 1 - PRECURSIVE

• Sit correctly at a table, holding a pencil comfortably and correctly, with all 6 legs on the floor.

• Form capital letters correctly.

• Understand which letters belong to which handwriting ‘families’ (i.e. letters that are formed in similar ways) and to practice these.

Year 2 - CURSIVE

• Form lower-case letters of the correct size relative to one another.

• Start using some of the diagonal and horizontal strokes needed to join letters and understand which letters, when adjacent to one another, are best left unjoined.

• Write capital letters and digits of the correct size, orientation and relationship to one another and to lower case letters.

• Use spacing between words that reflects the size of the letters.

Years 3 & 4 - CURSIVE

• Use the diagonal and horizontal strokes that are needed to join letters and understand which letters, when adjacent to one another, are best left un-joined.

• Increase the legibility, consistency and quality of their handwriting [for example, by ensuring that the down strokes of letters are parallel and equidistant; that lines of writing are spaced sufficiently so that the ascenders and descenders of letters do not touch].

Years 5 & 6 - CURSIVE

Write legibly, fluently and with increasing speed by:

• Choosing which shape of a letter to use when given choices and deciding whether or not to join specific letters.

• Choosing the writing implement that is best suited for a task.

In Key Stage 2 handwriting licenses will be awarded by the class teacher. If handwriting deteriorates, the license may be removed.