Canterbury Coastal Literacy
Children writing: shaping words, shaping thoughts This research project written by Gill King, Primary AST based at Herne Infant School was published by the DCSF. To read the whole report click here
Aims of the project
- To develop cursive writing from entry to support creative writing
- To consider gender issues in the use of this approach
- To summarise the impact of this approach
Dimensions of the study
Herne CE Infant School in Herne Bay in Kent is a three-form entry
school catering for 270 children with the recent addition of a
Nursery (2006). This study is based on the development of earlier
school-based research carried out by a previous school colleague,
Fiona Thomas, ‘Une question de writing?’ (TTA 1996/7). The
whole school participated in this writing project from the very
beginning and it has continued up to the present. References will
be made to practices in YR and Y1 but for the purposes of this
study our focus is Y2 during the period 2005 to 2007(8).
Summary of main findings
- Children developed writing skills, including cursive writing
earlier than before, allowing creative opportunities to be
explored in more advanced ways than previously - The strategy benefited boys and girls including children with
Additional Education Needs (AEN) and left-handed children - Standards in Literacy improved
- Other schools/other LA’s/ other settings are adopting our
approach.