Handwriting

At Upton Westlea, we are committed to ensuring that every pupil develops fluent, legible and consistently joined handwriting by the end of Year 6. Strong transcription skills, including handwriting and spelling, are essential foundations for successful writing.

In our Nursery, children will begin their handwriting journey by mark making, developing a preferred hand, increasing their hand-eye co-ordination and by using a range of mark making tools.

Across the whole of our early years, children are given the opportunity to develop their fine and gross motor skills to develop hand strength, control and co-ordination which will be necessary for later writing.

This includes activities such as: climbing, crawling, balancing, playdough, threading, painting on walls/floors and using spoons and tongs etc.

In Reception and Year 1, we follow the Little Wandle handwriting program which is taught separately to phonics. 

From Year 2, children continue to have direct teaching and regular practice of handwriting. Sessions are taught discreetly and frequently using Letterjoin. 

All children in our school are familiar with the 4 Ps so they are ready to write. These are: posture, pencil grip, paper and pressure. Before each session, children use the ready to write rhyme to help them achieve their best handwriting.

'Ready to write' rhyme

Let's sit up straight, feet nice and flat,

Tilt your paper - just like that!

Pinch your pencil, give it a flip,

Check your hold and then your grip.

Now we can begin to write,

But not too hard and not too light.

Handwriting is celebrated in assemblies and children's work is placed on our handwriting washing line weekly.