Pen licence - Year 3

[whatk8ydid]

Morning all, was hoping to get a hive mind view on this - particularly from either primary school teachers or those with primary age children.

My 7 year old is in Year 3. His school apparently have "pen licences" - which I'd never heard of before. When their writing is deemed "neat enough" by whatever subjective criteria they use, they are given a pen licence and are allowed to use pen instead of pencil to write with.

He, and quite a few others in his class, feel quite disheartened and "not good enough". I think about a fifth have a pen licence so far.

DS is normally a pretty robust little thing, it's not often his injustice mode is activated but he's really quite sad about this. Last week I decided the whole pen thing was bloody nonsense, sent him in with a pen and wrote a note in his reading diary saying that as he is left handed, he finds it easier and neater to write with a pen rather than a pencil and as such had sent him in with one, and to contact me if there were any issues with this.

Yesterday, I received an email from his teacher - 7 paragraphs of clearly AI formulated text which didn't actually address any of the issues or explain what he is doing with a pencil that can't be done with a pen, or what objective rather than subjective criteria needs to be met. This has annoyed me further. Everything I've read online says that pen licenses are outdated, aren't part of the curriculum, and put dyspraxic/left handed children at a disadvantage as they end up having less time to practice writing with a pen in comparison to their peers.

I think as far as parents go, we have pretty easy to meet expectations. There have been a few annoyances along the way but we've broadly speaking let them go - as in we're not those parents that are emailing once a week, or catching the teacher "just quickly" at the end of the day (and delaying everyone else by doing so). I've approached it from a trust the school to do their job, and we'll do ours at home sort of way. So I'm not sure whether this is just the straw that broke the camels back and that's why it feels such a big issue. I could do with a bit of a sense check on how hard to push on this one issue.

Apologies in advance - I'm at work today so may not be able to keep up with the thread in real time.

YABU - let the school do what works for them and don't interfere

YANBU - nothing changes if nobody challenges systems that are outdated and no longer fit for purpose

The email I received from school (annoyance level increased by the clear use of AI)

Dear whatk8ydid,

At the moment, DS is not quite ready to move on to using a pen for his everyday written work. This is not because they are in Year 3 and are being expected to remain using a pencil, but because there are still some important handwriting skills that need to become more secure first. In particular, we are currently working on the formation of letters, the direction and starting points of letters, and the accuracy and consistency of joins.

Our handwriting progression sets out that children in Lower Key Stage 2 build on their previous learning to develop joined handwriting, with a particular focus on the consistency of letter size, spacing, alignment and the use of diagonal and horizontal joins. By the end of Year 3, children are expected to have been introduced to these joins and to develop greater legibility and consistency.

It is therefore important that we don't simply move DS onto a pen because he is now in Year 3 and/or it being deemed easier. The writing implement is less important than securing the handwriting skill itself. If a child is still forming letters or joins incorrectly, moving to a pen too early can make it more difficult to correct those patterns because the incorrect formation becomes repeatedly practised in their everyday writing. Using a pencil gives us the opportunity to practise, correct and refine those movements while we develop greater consistency and fluency.

Our school presentation expectations also state that handwriting in Key Stage 2 should be cursive, with adaptations made where individual children require them, and that visible errors and misconceptions should be addressed. This means that our priority for DS is not simply to produce work in pen, but to make sure that his handwriting is becoming legible, fluent, consistent and correctly formed.

This is something we will continue to work on with DS through our regular handwriting practice and through his everyday writing. The handwriting policy specifically states that handwriting is taught regularly and reinforced through all writing activities, with teachers modelling correct formation and children revisiting and refining their skills.

Once DS demonstrates that his letter formation and joins are consistently secure, we can look at progressing him to a pen. It is a case of getting the handwriting right first, rather than using the pen as the next step simply because they have reached Year 3 and/or it seems easier.

I hope this explains the reasoning behind our decision. We absolutely want DS to progress towards using a pen, and we will support him in getting there. In the meantime, the focus will be on building the correct habits so that when he does make that transition, he is able to use a pen confidently and produce handwriting that is neat, legible and fluent.

Kind regards,
Teacher

Do say something. Pen license was a bloody annoying experience for both my dc, one has 8 9s and 2 8s n their GCSEs and neat handwriting and the other is doing exceptionally well in year 10 with good handwriting too. Both felt humialted and anxious as to why other were getting the PL and they were among the very last. At that age it's simply unhelpful to dent their confidence and introduce that competitive factor. It's also socially embarrassing not to have the pen license and there is an element of shame (connotations are not neat, not orderly, not capable not smart). Do say something we didn't and I wish I had.

And my dc always down it easer to write neatly with a proper pen rather than pencil.

I don't really have any advice but my daughter left primary without ever gaining her stupid pen licence.
She had medical reasons for it and was actually given a laptop to type instead of write but she still mentions every so often that she never got one (she's 18 now).
What was more annoying was that school only used those Berol pens which are the worst pens in the world to actually write with.
So apologies for no helpful advice.... I can only sympathise 🙁

If you believe you have valid reason to disagree with a school policy then you talk to the school about it and have a discussion. You don’t just decide that your child is so special
they don’t have to comply with the class rules and encourage them to do their own thing.

Whether or not you agree with pen licences, plenty of children have coped fine with the expectation that they work towards being able to use a pen when their work is neat enough. It is fine.

Parents like you are why children are growing up with no resilience, respect and with an attitude of entitlement.

There are books on amazon to practice this, get them and make it fun at home but for many children it's all about maturing

Pen licence was normal in the school my DS went to. He is 24.

I think you are wrong in this instance and should do what the school requests.

Even if the school cave, and let him use a pen ( pretty sure they won’t ) he still wouldn’t have the pen licence , and wouldnt then be able to’ earn’ one , and as you have found out they are covetable! They have been around for decades. Practice with him at home using a pen so he can earn one properly. Isn’t a pen really messy with a left hander though? Anyway , i wouldnt interfere, teach him to deal with his disappointment instead of telling him you will override the school because you don’t agree with it. What is that teaching him? Also most parents aren’t a pain in the arse , youre not special because of that.

Yes just let the school carry on. I remember when I was in primary school that we had to use pencils until our writing was neat enough to be awarded a coveted biro, and I'm in my late 30s.

My two are not long through this stage - my eldest didn't get hers until mid Year 3 (and she has neater writing than me) whereas my youngest with worse handwriting had it earlier in Year 3. I was not particularly interested in their quest for a pen, just said well done when they got one and moved on with the day!

Pencils are actually harder to write with than pens so its self defeating. Get him a handwriting pen to use at home.

honestly, she worded it fairly harshly but I agree with the sentiment from @HettyTagliatelli

The pen licence is something they work towards. My kid got it in year 5, her best mate in year 3. It really doesn't matter

But you telling your child he doesn't need to listen to the rules because YOU deem them silly is a huge problem. And exactly the reason why good teachers want to leave the profession.

For a good grip also get the plastic grip supports.

I remember these from when I was in school.

I don't remember ever getting mine.. just at some point I went up a year and they stopped caring. I was diagnosed as dyslexic in year 5, and then went to special classes to help.

It was annoying, but to be honest - it didn't define my life or cause major problems. It is just like any other aspect of comparison between students - even sticker charts and the like - that can either act as motivation or make students feel bad.

In this case, I personally would just focus on helping my child's handwriting, rather than focusing on complaining. Let him do writing practice with you each night, and it will soon improve.

Pen licenses are bollocks but I wouldn’t bother fighting the school on it. You’re on a hiding to nothing there.

Omg the tears we had over pen license I HATE this rule. My youngest is dyslexic and despite being mega-bright the pen license thing and focus on neat writing (which he will never ever ever manage) has made him convinced he’s an absolute idiot and bottom of the class. This a kid who is reading harry potter at 8, has CAT scores through the roof but focus on neat handwriting means he thinks of himself as an idiot.

So no its not just you.

BTW i’m not anti celebrating success in education and having a meritocracy. But focus on these secretarial skills which are literally meaningless massively favours neurotypical girls against boys or any kids with learning differences.

I think I agree with the actually. Do support your ds at home with handwriting practice books and say that some schemes at school or in life including pen lice are old fashioned and not the best way to teach but that is how yous school do stuff so let's persevere. Tell him the PL is just an annoying thing he gets to go through with.

A parent successfully challenged this when my eldest was in primary school. She presented that not only is there no evidence to say that it is good thing, in fact, OTs say it is actively harmful to those who struggle the most with handwriting. The SENCO was in agreement and the Head stopped the whole pen license thing and let people use what they prefer.

It was the same when I was at primary, in the late 60s (!!) except it wasn't called a licence. If you were good enough, you moved onto pens.
I am left-handed, but have always had impeccable handwriting, so I guess I bucked the trend for lefties.

I don't think my DS ever received the coveted Pen Licence.
When he was at primary they all wanted to use lamy pens.

He is now late 20's, a graduate of a russell group uni and very successful at his career.

Despite no Pen Licence 😂

I know it feels like it matters (and it did to my DS at the time so I understand) but perspective also important.

VICTORY! If i’d have known that years later my kid would still be referring to himself as an idiot who can’t write properly I’d have done same and challenged. Now instead I just have to pay for tutoring and therapy to try and rebuild his confidence (Yes as an adult this feels like small stuff but when you are 7 it’s a Big Deal)

I thought this was normal? My soon-to-be 24 yr old didn’t get her pen license until yr 5. It didn’t stop or dishearten her, we helped her practice handwriting at home. She’s just graduated with a math degree, so it didn’t hold her back.

Honestly he’s only yr 3, perhaps concentrate on helping him at home rather than take the teacher to task. There will be bigger issues to deal with at school than pen licenses.

Ha, didn't expect to need my hard hat on quite so early. I think there are ways of communicating opinions without slandering parenting styles. My son is very resilient. And for the most part, we are a crack on and get on with it sort of family. But why shouldn't archaic practices that aren't part of any national curriculum and have no clear benefit be challenged? I don't want to be glib, but you do know there was a time when children were hit with rulers? We learn, we change, we move on. That's the entire human experience really, isn't it?

I don't think he should be special, I think they should all get a pen or none. I can only see disadvantages to their current system - and as yet haven't seen any advantages pointed out.

But yes, interesting to see my confliction playing out here - hence seeking out advice on whether this is the hill I choose to die on.

I can't believe some schools still do this, it's so incredibly dated and not inclusive of children who are left handed, have dyslexia or dyspraxia or other similar needs.

My son's school doesn't do it which is good considering he's in Year 6 and probably still wouldn't have it, his handwriting isn't great for various reasons.

I'd just continue to send him in with a pen. It's ridiculous.

Get him a special pen to use at home and practice with him.

I think you have to pick your battles. Unless you want to be ‘that’ parent that no longer gets taken seriously by the school when they complain, you need to decide whether this is the hill you want to die on. Because the next time you raise merry hell about something at school, you may not be given as much credence.