WR-PLD-02: P-Checks Deep Dive

# WR-PLD-02: P-Checks Deep Dive

Level: All Levels
Notes: 1 hour. Posture, Pencil, Paper, Pressure setup & monitoring. All teachers.
Publication: PLD Pack
Status: To Develop
Type: PLD Material

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**WR-PLD-02 — P-Checks Deep Dive**

**Duration:** 1 hour | **Audience:** All Cosmos Primary teaching staff (EYFS through Y6) and TAs

**Format:** Workshop — 30 min input, 20 min practical, 10 min reflection

**NHA Alignment:** P-Checks are the **non-negotiable foundation** of every Write Right lesson, every day.

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## Session Aim

By the end of this session, every adult who teaches or supports handwriting at Cosmos Primary will:

1. **Recall** the four P-Checks from memory: **Posture, Pencil, Paper, Pressure**
2. **Demonstrate** the P-Check ritual in less than 60 seconds
3. **Diagnose** common P-Check failures and respond with targeted, calm corrections
4. **Commit** to running the P-Check ritual at the start of every handwriting session

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## Why P-Checks Matter (10 min input)

The NHA framework holds that **letter formation cannot be corrected if the foundations are wrong**. A child who is leaning forward, gripping the pencil in a fist, working on slanted paper, and pressing through the page will produce poor handwriting no matter how well the lesson is delivered.

The P-Checks address the four physical preconditions for fluent writing:

| **P-Check** | **Why it matters** | **The single test** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Posture** | Spinal alignment supports shoulder, arm, and wrist mobility | Both feet flat, bottom back in chair, back straight, non-writing hand anchors paper |
| **Pencil** | Tripod grip enables fine motor control and prevents fatigue | Thumb and index opposite each other, middle finger underneath as a shelf |
| **Paper** | Correct angle reduces wrist strain and supports legibility | Paper tilted 30–45° — right-handers tilt left; left-handers tilt right |
| **Pressure** | Light, even pressure prevents fatigue and supports flow | The page should not be embossed when held up to the light |

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## The Ritual (10 min input + 10 min modelling)

The P-Check ritual is a **60-second routine**. Run it at the start of every handwriting session, without exception.

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**The P-Check Ritual (chanted aloud by the children):**

**"Feet, bottom, back, hand!"** — Posture

**"Pinch, point, perch!"** — Pencil grip

**"Tilt the paper!"** — Paper position

**"Soft and steady!"** — Pressure

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**Demonstration script:** *"I will model the ritual. Watch and listen, then we will run it together. Feet, bottom, back, hand — my feet are flat, my bottom is at the back of the chair, my back is straight, my non-writing hand holds the paper. Pinch, point, perch — I pinch with thumb and index, point at where I want to write, and rest my pencil on my middle finger. Tilt the paper — I tilt it so my elbow is comfortable. Soft and steady — I press lightly enough that I can still write the next word."*

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## Practical Activity (20 min)

In pairs, staff:

1. **Run the ritual on each other** (3 min each, 6 min total) — partner observes and gives feedback
2. **Practise diagnosing the failure** — facilitator shows photos/videos of children with one P-Check wrong; staff name the failure and the targeted correction (10 min)
3. **Run the ritual with their hand on the wrong P-Check** (4 min) — to feel what poor grip / poor posture actually does to the writing

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## Common Failures & Targeted Responses

| **Failure** | **Look for...** | **Calm response** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tucked-thumb grip | Thumb hidden under index finger | "Show me your two pinching fingers." Re-model. |
| Fist grip | Whole-hand grip; pencil pointing up | Pencil grip aid; re-model tripod. |
| Slumped posture | Chin near desk; shoulders curled | "Feet flat. Bottom back. Strong back." |
| Paper straight up | Paper aligned with desk edge | Demonstrate tilt; place a coloured triangle as visual cue. |
| Heavy pressure | Page embossed; tense knuckles | "Soft and steady. Can you write the next word?" |
| Non-writing hand idle | Writing hand wanders; paper slides | "Helper hand on the paper." |

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## Left-Handed Considerations (5 min input)

Left-handed children need:

- **Paper tilted RIGHT** (mirror of right-handers)
- **Higher grip on the pencil** — thumb and index should sit about 3 cm from the nib (right-handers sit at 2 cm)
- **Seating to the left** of right-handed neighbours so elbows do not collide
- **Quick-drying tools** — graphite pencils, not gel pens, in EYFS/KS1

See [Left-Handed Support Guide](Left-Handed%20Support%20Guide%2017f59c7dfae14574a0d495333b5a4b39.md) for the full guide.

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## Commitment (10 min reflection)

Before leaving, each member of staff:

1. **Writes their P-Check ritual cue** — a one-line phrase they will use to start every session
2. **Identifies one child** in their class whose P-Checks need targeted attention this term
3. **Names one staff partner** to check in with in a fortnight

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## Take-Aways

Each attendee leaves with:

- A laminated P-Check ritual card for their classroom
- The P-Checks Poster ([P-Checks Poster](P-Checks%20Poster%208c23174a49d74849838817e50dd447f7.md))
- A diagnostic photo-checklist for use during lessons
- Optional self-record video link for re-watching the modelling later

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## Linked Components

- [NHA Framework Overview](NHA%20Framework%20Overview%207722c4fd8c784a068e601673ebea8551.md) — NHA framework foundation
- [P-Checks Poster](P-Checks%20Poster%208c23174a49d74849838817e50dd447f7.md) — classroom poster
- [Left-Handed Support Guide](Left-Handed%20Support%20Guide%2017f59c7dfae14574a0d495333b5a4b39.md) — left-handed support guide
- [WR-PLD-01: Programme Overview](WR-PLD-01%20Programme%20Overview%2070b348e73c4b41598795114c2c35cc9b.md) — the introductory PLD this builds on