Mount Stewart Handwriting Expectations for Parents

Handwriting is a vital skill that supports transcription and spelling, both key components of the National Curriculum for English. At Mount Stewart, we aim to develop confident, fluent, and legible writers through a structured approach to handwriting across all year groups.

When teaching handwriting, we place great importance on:

• Encouraging good posture and appropriate pencil grip.
• Supporting the development of fine motor skills in the Early Years, which are essential for handwriting success.
• Ensuring children develop the correct pincer grip to hold a pencil effectively.
• Providing left-handed pupils with suitable seating arrangements, ensuring they have enough space to write without bumping elbows with others.

Early Years Foundation Stage

In the Early Years, we place a strong focus on developing fine motor skills, which are critical for successful handwriting. Activities such as threading, cutting, and mark-making help strengthen the small muscles in children’s hands, preparing them for writing. Children begin with print letter formation and are encouraged to adopt the correct pincer grip to hold their pencil.

Cursive script is gradually introduced later in the Reception year for children who demonstrate the required level of fine motor control. Early intervention in developing these foundational skills ensures children are well-prepared for handwriting in Key Stage 1.

Year 1

In Year 1, children are introduced to cursive letter formation. They learn to form capital letters and digits that are the correct size, properly oriented, and proportionate to one another.

Year 2

In Year 2, children start joining letters, using diagonal and horizontal strokes to connect them. They also learn to space words appropriately, ensuring the spaces reflect the size of the letters. To meet the expected standard at the end of Key Stage 1, children must demonstrate these skills consistently.

Years 3 and 4

In Years 3 and 4, the focus shifts to developing a fluent, joined, and legible handwriting style. In Year 3, some inconsistencies in letter formation and size may still occur, but by the end of Year 4, handwriting should be consistent. Neat handwriting also plays a key role in editing and improving work, ensuring changes are clear and easy to read.

Years 5 and 6

By Years 5 and 6, children work on developing their personal handwriting style, while maintaining neatness and legibility at speed. To meet the expected standard at the end of Key Stage 2, children must write fluently and clearly, even during extended writing tasks.

Achieving 'Expert' Status and the Pen Licence

To achieve the title of 'Expert' Handwriter and be awarded a pen licence in Key Stage 2, children must consistently produce handwriting that is neat, joined, fluent, and aligned with the expectations of the Letter-join scheme.

We encourage parents to support their children’s handwriting development at home by:

• Engaging in fine motor activities to strengthen hand muscles.
• Reinforcing the correct pencil grip and posture.
• Encouraging regular practice of neat and legible handwriting.

Together, we can help our pupils become confident and skilled writers!