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 1 and 2 - RWI).
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 (Stage 3 RWI).
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.