Handwriting & Spelling Policy

Philosophy Statement

Aims

Time Allocation

Lesson Structure

Equal Opportunities

Resources

Assessment & Record Keeping

Monitoring and Evaluation

Philosophy Statement

At Warren we believe that clear handwriting and good presentation are vital skills throughout life. Children need to be taught how to write legibly and with ease to ensure effective communication. We also believe that spelling and handwriting are linked and that the flow of one helps the other. Children need to be taught specific spelling strategies and ways in which they can check their spellings and are encouraged to transfer these skills whenever they are writing. Children also need to gain a good understanding of the English language and how it is used in a variety of contexts. Back to top

Aims

- To develop the children's ability to consistently form both lower and upper case letters correctly, as well as numbers.

- To develop children's ability to join letters accurately, fluently and at speed, producing clear, legible handwriting in which the children will take pride.

- To develop an understanding that clear and thoughtful presentation aids communication when coupled with an understanding of the reader as an audience.

- To develop an understanding of the appropriateness of different styles of writing for different purposes.

- To encourage the correct use of a variety of writing implements and materials.

- To ensure that adult handwriting on display is of a good standard and reflects the Nelson handwriting style.

- To employ a positive attitude to handwriting and spelling in all work by valuing the children's efforts.

- To recognise the needs of left-handed writers and make appropriate provision for them.

- To develop children's understanding of spelling rules and strategies and encourage them to link these spelling patterns with handwriting patterns.

- To teach the necessary skills to enable children to check their spellings using dictionaries and spell checks.

- To develop children's self-confidence as spellers.

- To give children an awareness that correct spelling and grammar is vital for meaning. Back to top

Time Allocation

From Yr 1 - Yr 5 handwriting and spelling will be practised daily for a minimum of 5 minutes. Back to top

Lesson Structure

Children will be taught specific handwriting and spelling rules and patterns and will be given regular opportunities to practice both. Specific joins will be taught alongside spelling patterns. Children will also be taught the specific skills necessary for using dictionaries and spell checks in order to check their work. When writing children are always encouraged to attempt a spelling and apply spelling strategies then check their work appropriately. Children should not be asking the teacher or LSA for spellings. All KS2 children have personal spelling dictionaries which they are taught how to use and maintain. KS1 children are taught to use word banks effectively. Words that are incorrectly spelt in work may be corrected by the teacher (depending on the teaching objective for the session). The correct spelling may then be practised by the child using the look, say, cover, write, check method.

Children will be provided with a range of appropriate writing implements and materials and will be encouraged to be responsible for their own equipment by keeping them in good condition. When writing final drafts or displaying work children will be provided with line guides and border examples to promote varied and careful presentation. It is our aim that all work on display should, wherever possible, contain correct spelling.

Teachers and LSAs will provide the children with clear expectations and clear models with their own handwriting and spelling.

Teachers will also encourage good standards of presentation by providing a purpose or an audience where possible. Back to top

Equal Opportunities

Teachers recognise that all children come to school with a range of experiences and proficiencies and that in order for children to learn to write accurately and legibly, these should not be disregarded, but should be recognised and developed. Back to top

Resources

Read Write Inc. is used throughout Foundation and Key Stage One and where necessary in Key Stage Two.

The Nelson Handwriting Scheme is used throughout the school to teach handwriting from the joining stage.

Children will write in pencil until it is deemed by their teacher that they may make the transition to writing using pen. It is expected that this transition will be secured for all children by the end of Year 4. The pens to be used for handwriting are black Berol handwriting pens.

All Key Stage 2 children use a line guides to place under plain paper when writing. Back to top

Assessment & Record Keeping

Assessment is ongoing and is made by the class teacher. More formal assessment can be made during staff moderation when awarding each child a level for their writing.

Spelling of the year group's spelling words will be assessed every half term through a dictation. This will be completed in the yellow writing assessment book.

Each child from year 2 onwards will complete a standardised spelling analysis in the autumn and spring terms. (See Assessment and Record Keeping policy)

It is necessary for teachers to keep a record of handwriting strategies that have been taught through the Nelson Scheme. Back to top

Monitoring and Evaluation

It is the class teacher's responsibility to monitor spelling and handwriting progress of individual children in the class and to establish specific programmes to support children with particular needs when appropriate.

It is the responsibility of the English Co-ordinator to keep an overview of the progress being made by all children through consultation with teachers and by looking at specific books on a regular basis and during monitoring meetings. Back to top

Approved by Governors: Summer 2007

Policy Review: Summer 2010 Back to top