Sutton-on-Sea Community Primary School follows the Achieving Excellence in Handwriting guidance. The aim of the handwriting programme is to allow the children to see the biggest change and fastest improvement in their work through a ‘little and often’ approach. This allows them to feel confident and proud of their work which filters through into all areas of the curriculum. Our handwriting policy is about supporting the development of the whole child. The delivery of these lessons requires care, pride, concentration and perseverance which are qualities we want every child to adapt. 

Handwriting procedure

At the beginning of the new term, handwriting lessons will be delivered on a daily basis for 15-20 minutes. This will be ongoing for 4-6 weeks to create high standards of expectations for the new year.

After the first 4-6 weeks. Handwriting lessons will be delivered at least three times a week for 15 minutes to continue developing the required standard of writing. 

EYFS handwriting:

In EYFS, the children will learn the letter names and begin to write single letters of lowercase and uppercase letters when fine motor skills are developed enough to support pencil control. Children in EYFS follow the Little Wandle Handwriting scheme, in line with our school chosen phonics programme. When ready, the children will use books with the FS lines on half a page. Lessons should be a mixture of ‘air’ writing, ‘dough’ writing, finger strengthening activities and writing with implements.  These should be completed frequently throughout the week.  We aim for all children to have a secure tripod grip by the end of the first term in EYFS.

KS1 Handwriting:

In KS1 the children will follow the Achieving Excellence in Handwriting KS1 programme. Children will begin with learning short, tall and tail lines as their warm ups and then go through each section of the programme. Each lesson will be split into at least two sessions to ensure that children have the time to develop each letter formation. Children will not be taught how to join any letters until they have consistent, correct single letter formation.

KS2 Handwriting:

In KS2, the children will follow the KS2 programme of study in Achieving Excellence in Handwriting. They will begin with learning and practicing the short, tall and tail lines as well as the coat hanger formation. Children will recap the single letter formations before practicing them with joining lines. Each lesson of the programme will be split into at least 2 sessions to allow time to develop correct joins and confidence in writing. 

Joining letters:

Sutton-on-Sea Community Primary School will join letters as per page 17- 25 (section 2 with a join on page 25). Letters such as g, y, q, and j, will not be joined and tail letters will not have a loop. 

Language and expectations:

• Teachers are expected to use the language as per the training.
• TNT- Tummy near table.
• BBC- Bottom, back, chair
• 6 points- 6 feet on the floor meaning the four chair legs and the two legs of the children. 
• Children should be taught how to hold their pencil correctly using three points. 
• Children will be expected to write using a shape pencil.
• Praise for quality work and concentration should be within every lesson. 
• Children should be encouraged to reflect and improve their work within each.

Lesson structure: 15-20 minutes.

Warm up task practicing short, tall and tail lines or recapping letters from last lesson.

Main task- focus on the lesson from the booklet with opportunities to practice the letters by themselves, then with a join to another letter and then within a word. In KS1 this will be done with no join. 

Final task- opportunity to write a full word using the letters practiced.

Achieving Excellence in Handwriting

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