Handwriting and Presentation Policy
Good handwriting raises self-esteem and enables children to communicate clearly. Expectations of neat handwriting help the school to show it is setting high standards in general, and of presentation in particular.
Aims:
To teach children to join their writing at the earliest possible stage, and more specifically from year 2. We will encourage children to join their writing in all their work as soon as they have been taught these joins by the end of year 2, in order to develop fluency and increased speed in writing.
We aim for good handwriting skills to be evident in all independent writing, and not just in handwriting lessons.
Organisation
Handwriting
All classes will have regular sessions devoted to the teaching of handwriting, using Charles Cripps as the chosen style.
In F1and Yr1 children will be taught correct letter formation, with ‘hooks’, to hold their pencils in a ‘triangular’ grip, and to sit in a suitable position when writing at least 3 times a week.
In Year 1, children who can cope with connecting will begin to learn the first connections suggested in the National Literacy Strategy (NLS) Framework for teaching.
By the end of Year 2, all children will have been taught all connections.
In Year 3, children should be using these connections in most of their writing showing progression.
By the end of Year 4, all handwriting should be connected in every piece of work.
In Years 5 and 6, children will use blue or black pens in their literacy work.
The school will follow the guidance on handwriting set out in section three of the Dfee book ‘Developing Early Writing’, which includes advice on the sequence in which letters should be taught, posture, pencil grips, etc. This includes, on page 164, an alphabet showing the starting point and direction of writing for each letter. This method will be encouraged throughout the school.
As children grow older, they may choose to vary their style of handwriting slightly. Provided it is still connected, neat and legible, variation will be quite acceptable.
Presentation
At the end of F1 children will begin dating their work. In Year 2, they will include dates and headings as appropriate, this should be underlined using a ruler.
Throughout KS2, all work should be dated with either the full date or (where appropriate, eg maths, short tests) the short date, underlined, together with an underlined heading, where appropriate.
All children will be taught and encouraged to make appropriate use of margins, including positioning of numbering, beginning at the end of year 2.
Assessment/evaluation
Children will be assessed on a regular basis including at the end of handwriting lessons, through teacher’s marking. A formal assessment will take place in the 5th term of the year during the schools planned assessment week. Assessments will be made relating to children’s abilities to write legibly and neatly using correct letter formation using correct letter formation. During the upper KS2 years assessment will also be made on pupils ability to write at speed using a fluent consistent joined style.
Resources
The National Literacy Strategy, ‘Developing Early Writing’ book, Charles Cripps Hand for Spelling Books and other handwriting style sheets as necessary. Triangular pencils available. Handwriting books with marked lines up to year 4. Line guides are available in all classes.
Equal Opportunities
Lessons will be differentiated to accommodate all levels of ability. Children in need of extra help will be identified and given such help. It is understood that left-handed children can find connected writing more difficult, and we will follow the advice given in the Dfee booklet already mentioned.
Children joining the school from other schools who arrive with different handwriting styles will be allowed to continue with these if the teachers judge it acceptable.
Revised – January 2005
Review date – January 2007
Signed ………………………………..(Chair of Governors)
Signed ………………………………...(Head teacher)