‘Writing has dropped off a cliff’: England’s lockdown-hit pupils get extra pen lessons

Handwriting, grammar and spelling skills have fallen. Photograph: Don McPhee/The Guardian

Schools are hiring handwriting specialists to tackle a drop-off in children’s pen skills caused by the use of laptops and tablets during the pandemic and a lack of opportunities for extended writing.

When children return in September, many will spend extra time with the specialists, and also occupational therapists who will be employed specifically to help children who have fallen behind.