As a school, our intent in teaching handwriting is that the pupils will:

• Experience coherence and continuity in learning and teaching across the school


• Develop a recognition and appreciation of pattern and line


• Understand the importance of clear and neat presentation in order to communicate meaning clearly

• Take pride in the presentation of their work and therefore study handwriting with a sense of enjoyment and achievement.


• Be supported in developing correct spelling quickly through a multi-sensory approach to handwriting


• Be able to write quickly to aid expressing themselves creatively and imaginatively across the curriculum and for a range of purposes.


• Use their skills with confidence in real life situations


• Develop a fluent, joined handwriting style by Year Four, in accordance with the National Curriculum

Our school uses the online cursive handwriting scheme 'Letter-join'. It includes a mix of traditional and digital resources, including classroom presentations, handwriting games and worksheets tailored to the needs and ages of our children. 

In EYFS and Year 1, children are introduced to correct letter formation in line with their phonics sessions.   The children practise pre-cursive handwriting with no lead-ins using the formation guide produced by Little Wandle (Letters and Sounds Revised).

Little Wandle Letter Formation Guide 1

Little Wandle Letter Formation Guide 2

Little Wandle Capital letter formation Guide

In Years 2 - 6, children are introduced to and practise cursive writing,  practising patterns and letters in a specific order.   Additional handwriting sessions also take place where appropriate, and handwriting sessions are differentiated where necessary to address the different abilities and stages of individual children. Teachers and Teaching Assistants model the correct formation of the pre-cursive or cursive script at every opportunity.

 Cursive Script Teaching Sequence

• Watch on the interactive whiteboard


• Practise by air writing and tracing letters


• Model by teacher on lined paper to ensure correct positioning


• Practise 2/3 letters daily until secure – following the teaching order


• Include words and sentences to help develop the cursive script


• Include dictation

Teaching staff monitor the progress of children when marking writing within other curriculum areas throughout the week.   Correct pre-cursive letter formation is expected by the end of Year 1. By the end of Year 4, children should be writing in a fluent and cursive style.