For headteacher Katy Brierley, dyslexia meant enduring rather than enjoying her school days. But it also gave her a passion for handwriting that she has since translated into an effective whole-school policy that ensures pupils are intensively coached in handwriting skills.
Dr Mary Howard of the National Handwriting Association points out that handwriting skills are of particular importance for special educational needs pupils; it's sometimes one of the few means of communication at their disposal.
This programme highlights how the head and class teachers at Northowram Primary School, near Halifax, lead a policy based on three main planks.
Pupils are taught to write in a cursive script, they are taught in short ten minute blocks daily, and teachers use multi-sensory and other fun techniques to embed the learning.
