“When handwriting becomes automatic, children are free to think, create and communicate.”

At Townville Academy, we believe that handwriting is a fundamental skill which underpins learning across the curriculum. When children develop fluent, legible handwriting, they are able to record their ideas with confidence and focus more fully on the content and quality of their work.

Our handwriting curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure children build the physical strength, control and letter formation skills they need as they progress through school. From early mark-making in the Early Years to fluent joined handwriting by the end of Key Stage 2, our approach supports children to develop a comfortable, consistent and efficient handwriting style.

Handwriting in the Early Years Foundation Stage

In the Early Years, handwriting begins with building strong foundations. Children develop gross and fine motor skills through mark-making, painting, tool use and practical activities. They are encouraged to talk about shapes, patterns and movements while exploring a range of writing tools.

In Nursery pupils are supported to develop their strength through a range of gross motor and fine motor development activities.  In their final two terms before Reception, Nursery pupils begin Write Dance.  Write dance supports the essential pre-writing skills pupils need to become successful writers as they start main school.

In Reception, when children are ready, focused handwriting sessions are introduced alongside phonics.  Handwriting sessions focus on securing the perfect handwriting position with an emphasis on securing the correct pencil grip, starting point for each letter and accurate letter formation.

Handwriting in Key Stage 1 

In Key Stage 1 children continue to develop control, posture and pencil grip . Handwriting is taught daily to build confidence and fluency.  At this stage, children learn the relative size of letters and to form letters that will flow easily into a joined style. When children are ready in year 2, they begin joining.  Children learn how to join letters using two basic joins the ‘bridge’ join, the ‘hill’ join. When appropriate, children may begin using a pen to support stamina and pride in presentation.