Handwriting

Handwriting Intent

At Penny Bridge CE Academy, we follow the RWI programme for the early stages of taught handwriting and aim to make the physical process of writing – handwriting – enjoyable from the start, so that children can see themselves as ‘writers’. We use the RWI mnemonics – memory pictures – to help children visualise the letter or join before they write it down. Therefore, children learn the letter formation alongside learning the sound. 
We ensure that children practise handwriting under the guidance of a teacher so they do not develop habits that will be difficult to undo later. In addition to this, we place emphasis on being ‘writing ready’ by teaching the children how to adopt an appropriate writing posture. We encourage writing to take place with: 

• feet flat on the floor.
• bottom at the back of the chair. 
• body one fist from the table.
• shoulders down and relaxed.
• back leaning forward slightly. 
• left/right hand holding the page. 
• left/right hand ready in a tripod grip. 

In order to support our children in learning to write, we ensure that the classroom environment allows for them to stay focused and attentive to their task. In addition to practising writing, we recognise and value to importance of developing children’s fine and gross motor skills to enable them to have the strength required for pencil grip accuracy and posture. We ensure that children have opportunities to target their fine motor skills with purposeful tasks in the learning environment, as well as engaging in whole class activities like ‘Funky Fingers.’ To support children’s gross motor development, we have a variety of active opportunities for body strengthening in the outdoor learning environment. 

Handwriting Implementation

Handwriting Impact

Handwriting is closely monitored throughout all handwriting sessions and is also assessed formally as part of writing assessments.