Teaching Handwriting
Teaching Handwriting
In July 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) in England published The Writing Framework. This comprehensive non-statutory guidance is designed to support teaching in primary schools, helping them better meet the statutory expectations of the National Curriculum.
Handwriting — a foundational transcription skill that's seen marked deterioration in recent years — is considered at length. Indeed, never before has such detailed guidance on teaching handwriting been communicated by a national body.
Since founding Better Handwritten in 2019, I’ve worked with school leaders and teachers to develop the knowledge, systems and processes needed to teach handwriting effectively — and right now, I’m excited.
We have an opportunity to prioritise improving provision for all children — to focus attention on handwriting. The Writing Framework not only gives permission, but sets a clear expectation
I think it’s a fantastic piece of work. But it’s not going to be easy for schools to unpack the content and implement the guidance. It will be a journey — one that takes the time it takes — threading its way through the crowded reality of school life.
This blog is part of that journey — a space to share and develop understanding of handwriting, step by step, through classroom experience, research, observation and shared reflection.
If handwriting matters to you, you’re very welcome here. You may also find these helpful:
Sensory Processing Understanding the role of tactile, proprioceptive and vestibular systems in handwriting
Why do some students struggle to copy from the board? Exploring the role of working memory and movement
Handwriting Lines How children interpret and use lines in writing
If you'd like to receive these reflections each week, you can subscribe to the Handwriting Matters Newsletter. Many teachers and parents read along — you’re very welcome to join them.