At Riverside, we teach children to read and write Set 1 sounds from the start of Reception as part of their
Read Write Inc. Phonics lessons. Children first learn to form letters while they learn to read Set 1
letter-sounds in Reception.

As soon as they can read Set 1 sounds, we teach a separate daily 10-minute handwriting lesson.
These handwriting lessons are at a different time from the Read Write Inc. lesson.

In Read Write Inc., we teach handwriting in four stages.

Read Write Inc. Handwriting – the four stages

• Stage 1 begins as soon as most children can read Set 1 sounds. We continue to teach children to
• form letters correctly.
• Stage 2 begins during Year 1. Children learn the relative size of letters and to form letters that will
• flow easily into a joined style.
• Stage 3 follows straight on. Children learn how to join letters using two basic joins – the ‘bridge’ join,
• the ‘hill’ join and the two variations on each.
• Stage 4 helps children develop a mature and speedy style.

Each stage ensures pupils meet the National Curriculum requirements for handwriting from
Reception to Year 6.