Handwriting

At Springside, we believe that handwriting is an essential life skill. Clear, fluent handwriting helps children communicate their ideas confidently, supports learning across the curriculum and encourages pride in their written work.

We follow the Ready Steady Handwrite programme to provide a consistent, structured approach to handwriting teaching throughout the school.

Our Aims

We aim to help every child:

• Develop clear, legible and fluent handwriting.

• Form letters accurately and consistently.

• Develop appropriate spacing, sizing and letter joins as they progress.

• Write comfortably, efficiently and with increasing confidence.

• Take pride in the presentation of their written work.

• Apply their handwriting skills across all areas of the curriculum.

How We Teach Handwriting

Handwriting is taught through regular, explicit lessons that build skills in small, progressive steps. Children have opportunities to practise letter formation, develop joins when appropriate and apply their handwriting skills across different subjects.

Teachers model high standards of handwriting throughout the school day and provide regular feedback to help children improve their accuracy, fluency and presentation.

Supporting Every Child

We recognise that every child develops at their own pace. Staff provide appropriate guidance, resources and additional practice for children who need extra support with handwriting, posture, pencil grip, positioning or fine motor skills.

Left-handed pupils are supported with suitable seating, paper positioning and writing techniques to help them write comfortably and effectively.

How Parents and Carers Can Help

You can support your child’s handwriting development at home by:

• Encouraging regular handwriting practice.

• Providing opportunities for drawing, colouring and other activities that develop fine motor skills.

• Encouraging a comfortable sitting position and an appropriate pencil grip.

• Praising effort, progress and care taken with written work.

Find Out More

Our school uses the Ready Steady Handwrite programme to support the development of handwriting skills from Year 1 - Year 6. Please see below information on how to support your child at home.