About Better Handwritten
Hello, I’m Nicky Parr, founder of Better Handwritten. I help schools develop confident, fluent writers by supporting teachers with practical, research-informed approaches to handwriting.
Through Better Handwritten, I work with schools, trusts, teachers, parents and adults who want to understand how handwriting develops and how it can be taught and improved in manageable, effective ways.
My work currently focuses on supporting schools implementing the handwriting elements of the Department for Education’s Writing Framework (2025) through training, resources and professional learning.
I began my teaching career in 1993 and, from the very start, handwriting mattered to me. I could see that pupils who felt proud of their handwriting were more confident in their learning and communication. When writing became easier, thinking became easier too.
In my classroom I prioritised short, regular handwriting practice and saw the difference it made. Children who had previously struggled began to experience success, and their confidence grew.
A personal turning point
In 1999 my son Jack was diagnosed with dyspraxia. Many everyday tasks were difficult for him, and I knew that learning to write was likely to be a significant challenge.
I was determined he would still have access to the many benefits that writing by hand can bring.
With support from excellent occupational therapists, and through careful observation, planning and patience, we worked step by step. The focus was always on simple, achievable activities and building confidence alongside skill.
After around twenty months of steady practice, Jack - still only six years old - had developed a fluent, neat cursive style. Most importantly, he felt proud of his writing and more confident in himself.
That experience shaped the work I have continued ever since.
From classroom practice to wider support
Over the years I've helped many children, adults and teachers improve handwriting through practical guidance and one-to-one coaching. The results were often transformational.
But there were never enough hours in the day to help everyone who needed support.
So in 2019 I founded Better Handwritten, bringing together my experience as a teacher, parent and coach to support a wider community through training, resources and professional development.
Today my work focuses primarily on supporting schools and teachers, while still helping parents and adults who wish to improve their own handwriting.
I’ve come to realise that handwriting improves through small observations and small adjustments.
When writing becomes more comfortable and easier to read, people often begin to feel better about it - and about themselves.
At its heart, Better Handwritten isn’t about perfect handwriting.
It’s about helping individuals feel more comfortable and confident when they write.
Feel better… letter by letter.
Supporting schools
In July 2025, the Department for Education in England published The Writing Framework, providing the most detailed national guidance on handwriting teaching that schools have received in many years.
Today, Better Handwritten supports primary and secondary schools to implement the handwriting elements of the framework, helping teachers develop:
clear progression in letter formation and joins
shared understanding across staff
manageable routines for teaching and practice
long-term consistency across year groups
Support is delivered through a structured whole-school handwriting implementation partnership, which includes professional learning, training and access to classroom resources. I also speak at school, trust and conference events about handwriting development and effective teaching practice.
Individual enquiries
Alongside working with schools, I occasionally support parents, carers and adults who would like guidance on improving handwriting.
If you’d like to get in touch, please use the contact form on the website and I’ll point you towards the most helpful resources.