Joined handwriting forms an essential part of the 2014 National Curriculum. In order to address this, St Matthew’s have adopted a cursive handwriting style.

Forming letters correctly is prioritised in EYFS before learning the cursive style in Key Stage One. Pupils use printed cursive until they are ready to begin to join.

Once pupils learn to use cursive handwriting, and once they write to the required standard (as outlined in the video above), they are awarded a pen licence by the English leader, which entitles them to use a pen in all subjects (except maths).

Handwriting is taught weekly (jointly with spelling) and is expected to be applied every time pupils write and in all lessons. Staff use cursive handwriting in their marking and modelling, and Read Write inc and Letter-Join are used to teach letter formation and joins. Both also provide resources and displays to be produced in the correct font to immerse pupils in the handwriting style.

Handwriting is celebrated in praise assemblies, where children are awarded pen licences.