Handwriting
Writing depends on fluent, legible and, eventually, speedy handwriting.
EYFS and Year 1:
Children in EYFS and Year 1 learn unjoined letter formation as laid out below:
Points to note:
- Letters do not have ‘lead in’ strokes
- Descenders are taught as loops in preparation for joining letters higher up the school
- Letters t and f are slightly shorter than the other tall letters
- Punctuation marks such as ‘?’ and ‘!’ should be of a size consistent with the height of tall letters.
Year 2:
Joined letter formation will be taught in handwriting lessons. Children begin to join their handwriting in their general work once the teacher feels they are ready to do so. A reward system is currently being developed. Children write in pencil.
Points to note:
- No ‘lead in’ strokes
- No join after capital letters and the letter ‘q’
- Words containing letters ‘i’, ‘t’ and ‘x’ will be completed before the additional dot or stroke is added (as this entails lifting a pen or pencil).
Years 3-6:
Regular handwriting practice continues. A reward system is in place in Y5-6, whereby children can earn the right to work in handwriting pen or fountain pen, using blue ink. A Y4 child may participate in this reward system during Y4 should their teacher consider their writing to be sufficiently neat and well formed.
