At Our Lady’s we teach a cursive style handwriting using the Letter Join scheme. In Early Years and Key Stage 1, we adopt a pre-cursive style that prepares children to join in a fluent, cursive style at the end of Key Stage 1 and the beginning of Key Stage 2. Progression in Handwriting Handwriting Frequency Handwriting Workshop Information In Early Year and Foundation Stage, it is crucial to develop the gross and fine motor skills. Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle and Dough Disco are great exercises to help with this. Also see our Handwriting Workshop Information for other ideas.

Progression in Handwriting

 

Year Group	Non-Negotiables	Curriculum
Reception	Write simple sentences which can be read by themselves & others. Use correct pencil grip. Write name (correct upper & lower case). Use correct letter formation for familiar words.	Development Matters (40-60 months) Ascribes meanings to marks that they see in different places. Gives meaning to marks they make as they draw, write, and paint. Writes own name and other things such as labels, captions. Attempts to write short sentences in meaningful contexts.
Year 1	Use correct formation of lowercase – finishing in right place. Use correct formation of capital letters. Use correct formation of digits.	Handwriting Pupils should be taught to: – Sit correctly at a table, holding a pencil comfortably and correctly. – Begin to form lowercase letters in the correct direction, starting and finishing in the right place. – Form capital letters. – Form digits 0-9. – Understand which letters belong to which handwriting ‘families’ (i.e., letters that are formed in similar ways) and to practise these.
Year 2	Write lowercase letters correct size relative to one another. Show evidence of diagonal and horizontal strokes to join handwriting.	Handwriting Pupils should be taught to: – Form lowercase letters of the correct size relative to one another. – Start using some of the diagonal and horizontal strokes needed to join letters and understand which letters, when adjacent to one another, are best left unjoined. – Write capital letters and digits of the correct size, orientation, and relationship to one another and to lowercase letters. – Use spacing between words that reflects the size of the letters.
Year 3 and Year 4	Write with increasing legibility, consistency, and fluency.	Handwriting Pupils should be taught to: – Use the diagonal and horizontal strokes that are needed to join letters and understand which letters, when adjacent to one another, are best left unjoined. – Increase the legibility, consistency, and quality of their handwriting (e.g., ensuring that the downstrokes of letters are parallel and equidistant; that lines of writing are spaced sufficiently so that the ascenders and descenders of letters do not touch).
Year 5 and Year 6	Write legibly, fluently, and with increasing speed.	Handwriting and Presentation Pupils should be taught to: – Write legibly, fluently, and with increasing speed by: – Choosing which shape of a letter to use when given choices and deciding whether or not to join specific letters. – Choosing the writing implement that is best suited for a task.