At Little Stoke Primary School, we use the Unlocking Handwriting programme to ensure all children develop clear, fluent and confident handwriting. 

Handwriting is taught both within daily phonics and writing lessons and through regular short discrete handwriting sessions. 

Key features of handwriting lessons at LSPS are:

We believe handwriting is a key foundation for writing success. Skills must become automatic and regular practice with teacher guidance is essential. 

How Handwriting Progresses Through the School

Early Years (Pre-school and Reception) 

Children develop gross and fine motor control, pre-writing patterns, correct pencil grip and early letter and number formation. In Reception, children form lowercase letters, learn letter families and begin writing their names and numbers. 

Year 1 

Children secure correct pencil grip and posture. They learn to form lowercase and uppercase letters correctly and consistently, focusing on accurate size and formation. 

Year 2 

Children begin cursive handwriting. They develop letter joins, improve spacing between words and ensure letters are correctly sized and positioned. 

Year 3 

Children refine cursive handwriting, improve joins and consistency, and develop accurate spacing and legibility across longer pieces of writing. 

Year 4 

Children embed key skills including joins, spacing and sizing. They improve presentation and ensure ascenders and descenders are accurate. 

Year 5 

Children increase writing speed and fluency while maintaining legibility. They refine joins, spacing and begin to adapt handwriting style for different purposes. 

Year 6 

Children write fluently, quickly and legibly across all subjects. They apply handwriting skills automatically and choose appropriate styles depending on the task.