At Sholing Junior School, we believe that clear, fluent handwriting is an essential life skill that enables children to communicate their ideas with confidence and pride. We use the Teach Handwriting scheme to provide a structured and progressive approach to handwriting, ensuring all pupils develop accurate letter formation, effective joins and a neat, legible style.
Teach Handwriting follows a carefully sequenced programme that builds children's skills step by step. Pupils are explicitly taught correct letter formation before progressing to joins, spacing, sizing and presentation. Lessons include teacher modelling, guided practice and opportunities for independent application, enabling pupils to develop confidence, consistency and fluency in their handwriting.
The scheme uses a continuous cursive style, helping pupils to develop muscle memory and automaticity. Through regular practice, children learn to write efficiently and with increasing stamina, allowing them to focus more fully on the content and quality of their writing rather than the mechanics of handwriting.
Handwriting is taught explicitly and reinforced across the curriculum. Staff maintain high expectations in every subject and children are encouraged to apply their handwriting skills consistently in all books. This whole-school approach ensures that handwriting is viewed as an important part of presenting work to a high standard.
From Year 4 onwards, pupils have the opportunity to earn a pen licence. This recognises children who consistently demonstrate a fluent, joined and well-presented handwriting style across all of their books and subjects. Pen licences celebrate pupils' hard work and commitment to maintaining high standards, while motivating others to take pride in the presentation of their learning.
Where needed, additional support and intervention are provided to help pupils develop their handwriting skills further. Through our use of Teach Handwriting, we aim for all pupils to leave Sholing Junior School with a confident, fluent handwriting style that enables them to present their work with pride and communicate effectively throughout their education and beyond.