At Highfields Primary Academy, we are developing pride in our work and high standards of presentation. We use the Penpals scheme for teaching handwriting starting in Reception through to Year 6. The Foundation content is in line with the EYFS Framework and is supported by the use of Essential Letters and Sounds mnemonics for teaching letter formation. The Year 1–6 content supports frequent, discrete and direct teaching of handwriting for 5–11 year olds, as required by National Curriculum 2014. 

The scheme provides us with a consistent approach and a clear progression through five developmental stages:

In the “Penpals Scope and Sequence” document below you will be able to see the sequence that handwriting is taught at St Luke’s.  The correct formation for letters, numbers and joins at our school is in our “Penpals Information for Parents” document also below.

Within EYFS, Key stage 1 and year groups in Key Stage 2 where necessary, children practise in Penpal Workbooks. Key stage 2 pupils practise within our specifically designed exercise books that include handwriting lines which supports their independent writing across the curriculum.

Handwriting is also modelled within phonics lessons and children have further opportunity to practise letter formation within these sessions.