Primary-aged children should be taught how to write properly and adopt a nationally-prescribed handwriting style, a report has recommended.
Researchers from London university’s institute of education said that all primaries should have a handwriting policy and a dedicated member of staff to teach it.
The policy should take into account the problems encountered by left-handed children and those whose first language is not English. Pupils who have trouble writing should have special help.
The report said: “Although these children do not have special needs in the general sense of the term, they may need extra support with some aspects of literacy.”
The policy would include instructions on what types of pen and paper children should use. The researchers found that lined paper is often helpful for pupils with handwriting difficulties.
Elaine Quigley, former president of the Institute of Graphologists, said: “Handwriting is like tying your shoelaces. Everyone learns eventually, but it’s good to be taught properly. It gives you a sense of stability and security.”
The researchers interviewed teachers at 39 primaries in London and the South-east. Slightly more than half said that they set aside an area of the curriculum in which to teach writing. A third taught it inside and outside the literacy hour, as recommended in government guidelines.
The report said: “There was considerable variation between schools in both the depth and breadth of their policies.”
Nonetheless, more than half the teachers questioned said that they thought it would be beneficial to have a national style for writing.
In Victorian schools, most children were taught a looped, cursive script. But, by the middle of the 20th century, this formal teaching was deemed to curb creativity.
While some countries have a national style, English schools are free to select a style of their choice.
Get hold of the Handwriting policy and practice in English primary schools from: www.ioe.ac.uk/publications/ Read more in this week's TES, including an analysis of the handwriting of Alan Johnson, Chris Keates and Steve Sinnott, out Friday June 9
