Handwriting
At Longton we use Nelson Handwriting to support children’s writing development at every stage, helping them build confidence and fluency in handwriting. Here’s an overview of what each year group focuses on:
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Year 1: Children are introduced to handwriting with an emphasis on creating the right conditions for success. They learn proper seating, posture, and pencil grip, with visual aids and videos to guide them. Lowercase and capital letters, as well as digits 0-9, are taught in a structured, cumulative manner.
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Year 2: Children revisit letter formation and joins, focusing on consistency in size and relative height. They also explore when it’s best to use print letters or leave some letters unjoined for clarity.
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Years 3-4: Handwriting development continues with the introduction of slanted writing and practice in joining with diagonal and horizontal strokes. There is a strong emphasis on consistent spacing and proportion of ascenders and descenders.
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Years 5-6: Advanced handwriting skills are refined, with practice in joins, break letters, and overall consistency in size and spacing. Children are encouraged to develop their own handwriting style, choosing implements and styles suited to their needs.
At Longton we aim to equip children with the skills they need to write legibly and confidently, providing a strong foundation for academic success and personal expression.