At Eastling Primary School, we believe that every child is a writer. Our handwriting and presentation curriculum is designed to give all pupils the firm foundations they need to become confident, fluent and independent writers. We recognise that handwriting is much more than producing neat letters; it is an essential transcription skill that enables children to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively across the curriculum.

Our approach reflects the importance placed on securing the foundations of writing within the Department for Education's Writing Framework and the renewed Ofsted Education Inspection Framework. We recognise that children need to develop accuracy and automaticity in handwriting, alongside secure phonics, spelling, grammar and sentence construction. When these essential transcription skills become increasingly automatic, children are better able to concentrate on vocabulary, composition, creativity and communicating meaning.

Building Firm Foundations from EYFS to Year 6

Handwriting is taught explicitly and systematically from the Early Years Foundation Stage through to Year 6, following a carefully sequenced progression of knowledge and skills.

In EYFS, children develop the physical foundations for writing through mark-making, gross and fine motor activities, pencil control and early letter formation. This learning is closely linked to our Supersonic Phonic Friends programme, ensuring that children learn to recognise, form and write letters as they develop their phonics knowledge.

In Year 1, children consolidate accurate letter formation through the systematic teaching of five handwriting families: curly caterpillar, long ladder, one-armed robot, sliding letters and tricky letters. Particular attention is given to correct starting points, direction, positioning on the line, letter size, spacing and the formation of capital letters and digits.

From Year 2 onwards, children are progressively introduced to joined handwriting when their foundational skills are sufficiently secure. As pupils move through Key Stage 2, the emphasis develops towards increasing fluency, legibility, writing stamina and the ability to adapt handwriting and presentation for different purposes and audiences.

A Consistent Whole-School Handwriting Style

We are committed to developing a consistent and recognisable whole-school handwriting style, ensuring that children experience clear expectations, shared language and accurate modelling as they progress through Eastling.

Progression is determined by each child's readiness rather than their age or year group. We believe that secure, accurately formed unjoined letters must be established before joining is introduced. This ensures that children develop a handwriting style that is not only neat and consistent, but also comfortable, efficient and sustainable.

Our whole-school approach extends beyond handwriting lessons. Staff consistently model agreed letter formations and presentation expectations across all curriculum subjects, helping children transfer their skills into everyday writing.

Our Ready to Progress Approach

At Eastling, we use seven Ready to Progress criteria to identify children's current handwriting development and determine their next steps.

These criteria recognise that handwriting develops through a sequence of essential skills, beginning with physical control and accurate letter formation before progressing towards joining, fluent sentence writing and automatic, adaptable handwriting.

Teachers regularly assess children's letter formation, positioning, spacing, fluency and application within independent writing. Where difficulties are identified, pupils receive precise teaching, additional practice and targeted support to secure the skills they need.

Our approach follows a consistent teaching cycle of assessment, explicit modelling, supported practice, retrieval, application and review. This ensures that children do not simply learn to form letters correctly in isolation, but can confidently apply these skills within words, dictated sentences and extended writing.

Handwriting as Part of Our Wider Writing Curriculum

Handwriting is an integral part of our carefully sequenced writing curriculum and is taught alongside phonics, spelling, grammar, vocabulary development and composition.

Through Supersonic Phonic Friends, Spelling Shed, our grammar curriculum and The Write Stuff, children develop the interconnected knowledge and skills required to become successful writers.

Our approach places particular emphasis on oral rehearsal, high-quality vocabulary, sentence construction and dictation. Children are given opportunities to practise taught letter formations and spelling patterns within meaningful words and sentences before applying their learning to independent writing.

This deliberate connection between transcription and composition helps children build confidence, reduce the cognitive demands of writing and develop the fluency needed to express increasingly sophisticated ideas.

Presentation Across the Curriculum

We believe that presentation should reflect pride, care and consideration for the reader. Across all subjects, children are taught to present their work clearly and appropriately, including the use of accurate letter formation, consistent spacing, suitable layout, titles, dates, diagrams and labels where appropriate.

Our expectations are progressive and responsive to children's developmental needs. We recognise that high-quality presentation should support learning rather than become a barrier to it. Children are encouraged to take pride in their work while receiving the adaptations and support they need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.

Through this consistent whole-school approach, we aim to ensure that every child leaves Eastling with a handwriting style that is legible, fluent, efficient and adaptable, enabling them to communicate confidently throughout their education and beyond.

Supporting Documents

The following documents provide further information about our whole-school approach to handwriting and presentation:

• Handwriting and Presentation Policy (2026) – outlines our curriculum intent, teaching principles, assessment, inclusion and whole-school expectations.
• Handwriting Ready to Progress Document – sets out the seven cumulative readiness criteria used to assess and support children's handwriting development.
• Progression of Knowledge and Skills: Handwriting and Presentation (2026) – details the progression of handwriting knowledge, skills and application from EYFS through to Year 6.