At Thorpe Acre Junior School our aim is that pupils will be supported to develop a cursive handwriting style which is clear, joined and fluid. Although there are many opportunities to practise handwriting across the curriculum, we also provide regular lessons for teaching and revising handwriting skills. The frequency and length of these lessons will vary according to the age and competence of the children. Formal handwriting skills are taught regularly and systematically through the use of the ‘Letter Join’ handwriting scheme.

Handwriting is a basic skill that influences the quality of work throughout the curriculum. By the end of Key Stage 2 all pupils should have the ability to produce fluent, legible and eventually, speedy joined-up handwriting, and to understand the different forms of handwriting used for different purposes. Our intention is to make handwriting an automatic process that does not interfere with creative and mental thinking.

In using the ‘Letter Join’ scheme of work, pupils will experience coherence and continuity in the learning and teaching of handwriting across all school years and be encouraged to take pride in the presentation of their work. Our objective is to help pupils enjoy learning and develop their handwriting with a sense of achievement and pride.

For children who experience handwriting difficulties due to fine motor development, including those who are left-handed and those with special educational needs, the appropriate additional support will be put into place. Letter-Join’s Lesson Planners all include differentiation activities for extra practice and challenge.

The children at Thorpe Acre Junior School have access to Letter Join from home. Pupils are encouraged to practise their handwriting at home by using the Pupil log-in for Letter-Join where they can access a range of teaching videos, practice activities, and games.