Handwriting
At St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, we use the Letter-join scheme as the basis of our whole school approach to handwriting, progressing from Early Years to Year 6.
Please see the handwriting progression document to find out how handwriting is taught from Early Years to Year 6.
Handwriting lessons are taught discretely at St Thomas More from Years 1 to Year 6.
Early Years
Children starting in Early Years are taught to hold a pencil correctly. They are taught to write their names. Continuous provision in the Early Years Unit enables children to develop gross and fine motor skills. These skills underpin good handwriting skills.
Handwriting and Phonics
When children start learning initial letter sounds through the Read Write Inc phonics scheme, they are taught the formation of letters using the visual mnemonics. Children are taught to handwrite using printed letters in EYFS.
Script types/ forms
Stage 1 (typically EYFS and Year 1) Printed letters
Stage 2 (typically Year 2) Introduction to the cursive script (Letter Join air plus - lead in and lead out lines)
Stage 3 (typically Key Stage 2) fully cursive script (Letter Join Plus - Lead in and lead out)
By Year Four, children are expected to have an efficient and legible cursive handwriting style. A variety of writing implements will be available for children to choose and use.
Reasonable adjustments
For children who experience handwriting difficulties due to fine and gross motor development, appropriate additional support will be put in place for example, additional opportunities to develop core stability, shoulder strength, hand and finger strength and a choice of writing implements, including alternative methods of recording.
Accessing Letter Join at home:
Please see the information below:
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access Letterjoin at home
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help children in their early years to develop fine and gross motor skills
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pre-writing shapes and patterns document
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multi sensory approach to building skills for writing
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handwriting progression document