Sorry, this may be a long post, but I really need advice. My y5 son has slowly over the past two years and in particular over the last six months got very demoralised at school. He now often says he is stupid and has special needs. We have told him he is a bright child and that this is nonsense. Think it stems from the fact that although he is just about the oldest in his year, he is one of only three children not to have gained their pen licence. He is left-handed, and he says his hand hurts when he writes. They other two children who have no licence both have statements. He tries and tries, but it is never good enough. For what it is worth, although not perfect, we think his writing is fine. I approached his teacher and mentioned the pen licence thing was affecting his confidence, and she didn't want to know. Said he just had to try harder and do more joined writing. Surely if this is affecting a child's confidence so much, they should give him the pen licence? The other kids all use pens in lessons and he is still stuck using a pencil. Lots of the children two years younger than him have their pen licences. What would you do??? Please help/advise? Feel both angry and very very sad.