Handwriting: 

Our Intent

At St. Peter’s, we believe that fluent, legible handwriting is essential for effective writing. When children develop automatic letter formation, they can focus their attention on spelling, composition and communicating ideas, rather than the physical act of writing.

Our approach ensures that pupils develop accuracy, fluency and pride in presentation through systematic teaching and regular practice. 

Children begin to learn the cursive style in Yr 2. When this is introduced will depend upon the cohort although all children (with the exception of children with additional needs) will be using the cursive style by the end of the year. When a child is deemed to have legible, joined writing for a sustained period they will be encouraged to use a pen. Indeed our aim is that all children, by the time they reach Yr. 6, will have received a pen. There are no pen licences or handwriting tests by which to earn one.

Children within KS2 have a twice weekly handwriting lesson which is supplemented with targeted interventions for selected children.

Inclusion

We recognise that some pupils require additional support.

Provision may include:

• Adapted grips

• Adapted lines

• Pre-teaching

• Additional practice

However, expectations remain high for all pupils.

Spelling:

At St. Peter's spelling is a priority and has high prominence within the weekly lessons. To support the teaching of spelling we use ELS Spelling daily in Year Two and Spelling Shed thrice weekly from Yr.3 upwards. Spelling Shed is a platform designed by teachers with parents and students in mind. Engaging and interactive, it aims to make spelling fun for students as well as simple for parents and carers at home to manage. 

Spelling Shed includes:

• A whole-school spelling curriculum, giving 100% coverage of the ELA spelling standards

• The Spelling Shed scheme has been created following key spelling objectives and will take children through the statutory and non-statutory spelling lists in each age phase.

• Their whole-school curriculum for spelling gives 100% coverage of the ELA spelling standards including all statutory words and spelling rules. The curriculum is broken up into a weekly progression with a Spelling Shed list for each week plus printable activities and resources to aid teaching.