Our Vision for Handwriting at Portswood Primary School

At PPS, we believe handwriting should empower learning—not hinder it. That’s why we use Kinetic Letters®, a proven programme designed to help every child develop handwriting that is legible, fast, and automatic.

We teach handwriting through four key threads:

• Making bodies stronger – building core strength for fine motor control
• Holding the pencil – ensuring a comfortable, lasting grip
• Learning the letters – teaching simple, logical letter formation
• Flow and fluency – creating smooth, efficient writing

Children progress from whole-body movements to confident writing on paper. Using fun characters like Bounce and Skip, we make letter formation memorable and enjoyable. As handwriting becomes automatic, it transforms into a powerful tool for learning across all subjects. Handwriting should be automatic. Automaticity reduces the cognitive load of writing, allowing children to focus on writing composition once they are fluent.

Kinetic Letters® works alongside our reading and phonics programmes and supports children at every stage of development. Our handwriting curriculum benefits every curriculum area, children’s self-esteem, and engagement with learning. Our goal is simple: to give every child the confidence and skill to write with automaticity for life.