Do all primary schools in the UK eventually teach cursive handwriting?

[Readytomakechanges]

DD's school teaches cursive handwriting from reception, as do all the other primaries in my area. DD is doing OK with it, some of the kids find it difficult.

My friend's DD is in reception class in a different area of the UK and is not being taught cursive.

My friend is concerned that her daughter's school will change to cursive later so her DD will have to change how she forms her letters.

Do they all have to be doing cursive by the end of primary, or is it the will of individual schools?

Thanks

[sirfredfredgeorge]

Joined handwriting is part of the national curriculum yes.

[LittleBoat]

my son's school has just changed from changing to Cursive at year 3 to doing it from the beginning as they say it's easier in the long run.

[ZombieApocalips]

You get marks for cursive in SATs which is the reason why they teach it in primary but are not bothered by cursive in secondary.

[Readytomakechanges]

So it is likely that my friend's DD will eventually have to learn it.

Does anyone know why some schools teach it from the beginning and some change part way through?

[mrz]

"You get marks for cursive in SATs" no you don't ...Writing isn't tested

[TeenAndTween]

ready
I think some teach it straight away as they think it is best to learn the thing you want directly, even if it takes longer to get to something legible, whereas others work on producing something legible and more straightforward first, and then 'upgrade'.

Waiting for mrz to correct / give what the latest research says on this.

[EmmaGellerGreen]

DS's school changed all year groups to cursive mid last year. They said that it was now an Ofsted requirement for all writing to be cursive now. No parents believed that story! The change did lead to lots of frustration for children, particularly those whose writing had been beautiful in the past.

[FitbitAddict]

To meet the expected standard in English for Y2 there needs to be cursive writing in most of their class work.

[Littlefish]

We used to teach cursive from the beginning of Reception, but this year, have reverted back to teaching individual letters for the single sounds (with the out strokes), and joined for the digraphs such as ee, th, sh, ai etc.

[GingerIvy]

The whole cursive v printing is interesting. Here in the UK it's all turning towards cursive, whereas I have relatives in the US that are going spare as their children in elementary (primary) are being told they are not allowed to use cursive, they must print - this is in a school that is up to age 10/11.

[mrz]

The UK has always taught cursive,what's new is some schools choosing to teach it in reception.

[Want2bSupermum]

ginger We are in the US and looking at paying someone to teach DD and her friends cursive. As parents we are horrified by the direction this has gone. I can't imagine having the time to 'print' each letter in a word. The reality is that while we are all using computers we still have a need for writing and cursive is so much more efficient.

[mrz]

Research evidence shows that handwriting helps memory ...we remember ugh more of what we write by hand than what we type...

[Want2bSupermum]

mrz I totally agree with that. I see it with DD who has just started school. Writing things out like spellings helps her remember. I have also started to make her write lines. It is a very effective punishment because it ingrains the rule she broke. 'I will not run in the house' written 10 times has been the most effective punishment in terms of DD no longer running in the house.

I type a lot at work and everyone is telling me to stop using so much paper. We write a tonne of memos and the first 2-3 drafts are always handwritten. It just flows better.

[Stokey]

My Y2 dd was a bit stressed about her writing so I talked to her teacher about it, who confirmed that it is now a requirement to be able to write cursive by end of Y2.

[mrz]

You're child's teacher is incorrect. To achieve the expected standard a child has to demonstrate the diagonal and horizontal strokes needed to join letters in some of their writing.

[Stokey]

Oh that's good to know Mrz. IMO her writing is much easier to read when she isn't trying to join it up. Her content is good so pity to be let down by appearance.

[mrz]

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/510997/STA-Exemp2016-KS1-EW-Sam-NoAnnPDFA_v2.pdf

[mrz]

Exemplification for writing at standard ...not joined

[PoorEduction]

My son massively struggles with cursive writing. His handwriting when he was 3 is better than it is now at 8. All around the world educational authorities are dropping cursive as outdated and unnecessary.
I am told that if he doesnt learn it they will deduct marks from him when he is older because he cant write cursive. That complete nonsense and is a clear indication as to why we are dropping down the ranks educationally. Focus on clear legible text and good quality content. We are living in a digital era where kids use electronic devices. We need to stop people who are existing the work place telling those that are setting out on the educational ladder how life is and should be. Those people are outdating and damaging our economic future.

[Norestformrz]

I'm afraid there is evidence that there are cognitive benefits to handwriting over using a keyboard or tablet.

[Bkwrm]

Depending on what you mean by a different area of the UK they might not teach cursive - we live in Wales and they don't seem to have to teach cursive here, my son's school doesn't. Not sure about Scotland and NI.

[RaeJayy]

Joining up is about not letting the pen leave the paper, so I believe the children need to lean how to write and then joining up will follow.

[Snowmonster]

My two sons went to a cursive writing primary. The youngest in year 10 has almost illegible spider writing, with comments about his 'difficult to read' writing.

My eldest refused to do cursive writing, I supported him print writing (school wasn't happy). He is now in year 11 and frequently gets positive comments from his teachers about his handwriting (it's legible!) It has proved to be a bonus, especially when sitting exams.

[Norestformrz]

"My friend's DD is in reception class in a different area of the UK and is not being taught cursive" what a sensible school! Fir some reason many schools choose to introduce joined handwriting from the start even though the evidence shows that it is better to teach separate letters initially and then move onto cursive.
This article from the National Handwriting Association provides a good explanation https://nha-handwriting.org.uk/handwriting/articles/teaching-fully-cursive-writing-in-reception/