Handwriting POLICY

Purpose

To develop neat and legible handwriting skills in our students with Nelson’s handwriting script.

Scope

This policy applies to all TCSI students

Policy Statement

To develop a uniform writing pattern across the school representing high standards of TCSI and encouraging teachers and students to recognise that handwriting is an essential form of communication.

Procedure

Teaching the Skill of Handwriting

• The skill of handwriting is taught to our students by teachers. Our teachers assist students with writing by focusing on the correct formation of letters, the spacing between letters and words, correct forms of joining, and speed and legibility of writing.

• In practice, it is the English teachers' responsibility to ensure that students develop fluent, fast, and legible handwriting.

• It is also essential for all staff in the school to be thoroughly conversant with the Nelson script, be able to use it fluently, and be able to assist and guide students in this regard.

• At our campuses, all captions, headings, and labelling are in Nelson Script.

• The Nelson handwriting script is downloaded and available on all school computers, and all worksheets and other resource material (e.g. flashcards, floor games) are prepared using Nelson Script.

Key Progression Stages

Nursery

In Nursery, the focus is to develop gross and fine motor skills through play and mark-making activities. This includes daily activities to develop the correct pencil grip.

Kindergarten

In Kindergarten, we develop writing skills through physical play, markmaking, and eventually using phonic knowledge to write words. Students use Nelson Handwriting workbooks in small groups to practice before moving on to early letter formation.

Year 1

Students continue to learn how to sit correctly at a table and hold a pencil comfortably and correctly. The writing emphasis is on the form of lower-case letters in the correct direction.

Year 2

Students begin to use joined handwriting. Students learn to form lower case letters in the correct size and ensure that capital letters and digits are the correct sizes. They also learn to use spacing between words which reflects the size of the letters.

Years 3 and 4

Students learn to use diagonal and horizontal strokes to join letters and understand when it is best to leave with words unjoined. They increase the legibility, consistency, and quality of their handwriting (for example, by ensuring that the downstrokes of letters are parallel and equidistant; the lines of writing are spaced sufficiently so that the ascenders and descenders of letters do not touch).

Years 5 and 6

Students use Nelson Cursive (Joined) Script consistently in all their work and can write with increasing speed. They also learn to choose the writing implement and style best suited for the task.

Year 7 onwards

Students continue to use Nelson Script to demonstrate the importance of a clean and neat presentation to communicate their meaning effectively.

Responsibilities

The School Heads are responsible for implementing this policy in their schools.

Reporting

No additional reporting is required.

Related Policy And Documents

Refer to Curriculum Documents