pen licence

[glam71]

Do all schools do pen licences? When are they normally issued? My dd is in year 4 and still waiting. Mostvof the class have them

It is fine for those who do get pens but horrible for those who don't. Some children don't care but it can really upset others (and their parents) I do think there has to be a point where all children get them, ie in Y3 or 4. The fact is some people will never have neat writing regardless so it seems a bit pointless to separate the pens/pencils writers by this point. My brother is in his 30's and his writing is appalling and much worse than my DS (age 7), writing in pencil does not make it any better.

I have never heard of it referred to as a licence. I also agree some children's writing is neater with a pen, especially if it is specifically for their particular writing ie left hander.

DS1 was given a pen early in Y1, DS2 is likely to be in secondary school before getting his

My ds is in Y6 and hasn't got a pen licence. His writing is extremely neat but they have to meet every criteria re cursive writing and each week he is told a different letter is wrong . Their "reward" is to be able to use any pen they like. He says that the only pens he is allowed to use are the poorer quality ones which are harder to write with. It seems ridiculous to me but he doesn't seem too bothered so I haven't made a fuss. Dd is Y3 and has hers already.

I have NEVER heard of this! Is this just an English thing? Am sure it doesnt happen here in Scotland

DDs school did this, usually in Y5 I think. DD was one of the last to get hers - she takes after both of her parents for handwriting!

Another one from Scotland who has never heard of this

Ds used a pencil all the way through primary school and now, coming to the end of S1 (1st year in Scottish secondary schools = Y7) uses a pencil for some subjects and a pen for others. Doesn't seem to have any effect on the quality of his work.

I also don't get amber's point about "nothing like real life" Since when was the ability to write in pen an attribute of adult or "real" life"?

I much prefer to write in pencil - I find I am more creative. It was a habit I started after I graduated and once I was working full time. For some reason, I find it easier to annotate in pencil than in pen. That is, unless I am doing a mindmap, in which case I like to use a panoply of colours .

I'm guessing my Ds's school does this they just lurve to make a show of Dc's difficulties, but saying that he has had a pen licence at home for many many years.

I'm 46 and my handwriting still isn't 'consistently neat, joined, well sized and legible'.

This sounds like a pointless policy. I'd never have got my licence.

That is just horrible.

DS1 would never get a pen licence, he has poor fine motor skills. One of the brightest kids in the class, but insane handwriting.

What a splendid method of pointing out difference and ensuring that children with differing needs have yet another self esteem battering.

To be honest, I don't think I'd get a pen licence, my writing is appalling.

They have them at my boy's school

DS1 didn't get one at juniors - he has dyspraxia and appalling handwriting. He wasn't bothered. He was more worried about not having to use a laptop. That would have made him stand out too much he said so he was happy to have a pencil. To be fair, his handwriting is still bad in yr 8 and he probably still wouldn't have got to write in pen if the secondary school had done the same thing!

DS2 has had one since yr 3 and it means a lot to him. He worked quite hard to get it. There are grades. He can use a handwriting pen and is working towards being able to use any kind of pen. I think about of half his class have them. (Yr 4)

They don't call them pen licences though - it is a handwriting certificate here.

mrsshrek3 bought one today. He can use it but his thumb hurts.

He was greatly cheered when I told him tht it was a pointless exercise as everyone uses a pen in Yr7

Utterly foul concept. I was the last person writing in pencil in yr4 and it was embarrassing enough without a song and dance tohighlightthe fact.

Absolutely hate this. Ds is left handed, dyslexic, has ADHD, sensory processing disorder & hypermobility. No exceptions, he never got his pen licence. I didn't realise that teachers could be so cruel.

Not sure if this link is still active but I am a trainee teacher and I am writing an essay on this as my critical incident. It has been really insightful to read your views :)