What is a pen licence?
The sad truth of the pen licence is that in many UK schools, children eagerly await the moment they can swap their pencil for a pen. This transition is seen as a major milestone, often celebrated with awards. Writing with both pencil and pen symbolises progress, maturity, and skill. The licence is a formal recognition by a class teacher, granting permission to use a pen once handwriting reaches a good standard. Teachers believe a child needs to achieve a certain level of pencil writing before using a pen, viewing this as motivation to write neatly. Schools associate maturity with the use of a pen.
How do teachers judge who qualifies for a pen licence?
The lack of a formal, standardised handwriting assessment makes it difficult for teachers to judge neatness accurately. In general, they assess letter formation, size, spacing, and speed when deciding if handwriting is legible enough for a pen licence.
Which age do children need to be to win a pen licence?
This varies as every school has its own handwriting policy. There is no set age in the national curriculum—each school decides individually. Some award the licence at the end of Year 2, while others wait until Year 5 or 6. Some schools don’t award a licence at all, believing pens should only be used in secondary school. However, since many children use pens at home, why not offer them an element of choice at school?
Letter from school sent to parents (Note the spelling error in ‘License”)
What happens once they win a pen licence?
Once a pen licence has been earned, children are finally allowed to use a pen for their classwork. This award recognises that they no longer need to use a pencil.
If there is evidence that children write better in pen, why shouldn’t they be encouraged to use one as soon as they learn to write? There seems to be no methodical thinking behind the transition from pencil to pen.
Pens, including ink pens and felt pens, often require less pressure, with a smoother ink flow. They also come in different colours, making handwriting more engaging. Children should be permitted to learn to write using different mediums from the start.
What is the award?
The award for a pen licence is permission to use a pen in class. The recommended handwriting pen often has a round barrel, which can make letter formation harder to control. A triangular-shaped pen, such as the Pentel Gel, would be more beneficial as it promotes a comfortable grip and helps form letters more accurately.
Unfortunately, many teachers prefer erasable pens, which encourage children to rub out errors rather than quickly cross them out—a method that is often faster and neater.
What happens if a child cannot write neatly?
This is a common issue and can prevent children from earning their pen licence. Many teachers are not specifically trained in handwriting instruction and must follow their school’s policy. Telling children to “keep practising” or “slow down” often has little effect, as they lack structured guidance. As a result, some children develop a dislike for literacy due to their struggles with handwriting.
Certain motor difficulties—such as dyspraxia or hypermobility—can make handwriting challenging. Dyslexic and left-handed children may also struggle. In some cases, children simply haven’t been taught clear, simple handwriting techniques. Instead of receiving support, they are often labelled and left for other professionals to handle, as they are seen as too difficult to remediate in school.
It can be highly embarrassing for a child (or their parent) to see their poor handwriting displayed among neater work. This can lead to low self-esteem, a fear of handwriting, and even avoidance of writing altogether. If their work isn’t displayed at all, it can reinforce the idea that it’s not good enough, further damaging confidence in other subjects.
In many cases, teachers resort to recommending computers, as some children may never be able to earn a pen licence. As a result, they miss out on developing the skill of neat, legible handwriting altogether.
How do children suffer?
The biggest negative impact on children is the feeling of failure. Those who do not earn a pen licence often feel inadequate and may become socially excluded. This can lead to low confidence, affecting their social and psychological well-being. Watching their peers receive a pen licence reinforces their insecurities, which teachers may not recognise or address. Many teachers fail to see the emotional damage caused by this system.
Not receiving a licence can be demoralising, demotivating, and have a lasting effect on a child’s development. Some schools automatically award a pen licence in Year 6, regardless of handwriting ability. This sends a confusing message, as children may believe their handwriting is acceptable, even when it isn’t.
How do parents suffer?
Parents often feel distressed when they realise their child has not ‘won’ a pen licence. Many do not understand what constitutes good handwriting or how to help their child improve. In reward assemblies, parents see other children celebrated while their own child is left out, leading to frustration and disappointment.
Some parents feel embarrassed and sorry for their child, who is now stigmatised. Parents may also feel humiliated at parents’ evenings or in social groups, knowing their intelligent child is being judged for messy handwriting. Meanwhile, parents of successful children may gloat, making the experience even more painful.
Desperate to fix the issue, many parents turn to various resources without fully understanding the problem or solution. In extreme cases, some parents become clinically depressed, feeling as though they have failed their child.
If neat handwriting were easy to achieve, why do so many children struggle? A simple, structured handwriting scheme like Magic Link should be introduced in schools to ensure all children develop fluent, neat, automatic handwriting.
Why don’t teachers like pens?
Many teachers prefer pencils because they allow pupils to erase mistakes rather than cross them out. However, erasing is problematic—if children can’t see their mistakes, they cannot learn from them. I believe children should never erase mistakes, as it wastes time and is unnecessary.
It is important for children to become comfortable using both a pen and a pencil. If they make a mistake, they should simply cross it out and rewrite the word. Presentation should be encouraged after mastering writing, not simultaneously.
What happens if a child writes neatly but does not maintain this?
Some children earn a pen licence, only to have it taken away if their handwriting declines—often when required to write longer or faster passages. This can be extremely upsetting, leading to psychological trauma. The removal of a pen licence can damage confidence, making children anxious about writing rather than improving their skills.
How should schools teach handwriting?
A consistent approach is essential across the whole school. The Magic Link handwriting course teaches neat, cursive joined-up handwriting in 30 simple steps, using a unique Magic Link font that makes letter formation easy and structured.
The Magic Link method can be introduced as early as Year 1, progressing through all age groups to ensure a uniform approach. The strong colour coding and structured motor movements support children with dyspraxia and other challenges. Visual and auditory techniques, such as ‘top tips’, help children learn efficiently.
There is no teacher training required—teachers simply follow the video lessons and supervise their pupils. This method improves handwriting, reading, and phonics skills simultaneously.
Recent Research on Handwriting and Pen Licences
Recent UK research highlights the growing concerns around children’s handwriting and the effectiveness of pen licences:
- “Our latest research reveals children’s writing crisis”
Published by the National Literacy Trust (June 2024), this study highlights a significant decline in children’s enjoyment of writing and their daily writing habits. It underscores the urgent need for interventions to address this downward trend.
(Read more) - “Pen licence – Handwriting improver or waste of time?”
Published by Teachwire (June 2024), this article discusses the implementation of pen licence schemes in schools and their impact on handwriting standards. It explores the role of pen licences in motivating students.
(Read more)
Conclusion
The sad truth of the pen licence is that it often creates unnecessary pressure, focusing on handwriting quality rather than effort and progress. Schools should foster a positive, inclusive learning environment, allowing children to develop handwriting skills at their own pace without unnecessary pressure. Children should be encouraged to use both pens and pencils from the start to make handwriting an enjoyable experience.
Instead of a pen licence, children should receive a ‘Certificate of Achievement’—as provided in the Magic Link programme—which rewards effort and progress rather than just handwriting quality.
Denying a pen licence based solely on handwriting quality can harm a child’s self-esteem and motivation. It creates feelings of exclusion and unfairness, leading to frustration.
A pen licence ultimately damages children both socially and educationally. Teachers should recognise effort, as trying one’s best should be the only factor rewarded.
