Are Handwriting Skills Important in the Digital Age?

In our digital world, correspondence is predominantly directed through emails, messaging and social media and it could be argued that keyboard skills have taken precedence over pencil skills. At Bromley High Junior School, we know that our girls have grown up with and are confident using a wealth of digital devices. However, whilst keyboard skills are learnt from an early age, we believe that the link between learning and writing by hand is of greater significance to our girls in the early stages of their development and is an important skill to master.

Handwriting at Bromley High is about building on a desire to communicate through mark-making from an early age. It is a movement skill that improves as each girl develops increased control and coordination in both fine and gross motor skills. The learning of basic letter formation is firmly embedded in our curriculum with a joined script being taught from the beginning of Reception. Attention is given to the positive correlation between handwriting, reading, and spelling skills using a multi-sensory approach to help reinforce early achievement across these areas. When handwriting becomes instinctive, there is time to focus on the higher-level aspects of composition and content.

As our girls leave the Junior School they have the ability to present their work through either a digital or handwritten medium, demonstrating both to an equally high standard.

Head of Junior School: Mrs C Dickerson

Deputy Head of Junior School: Mrs K Powell