The challenge
Why do children struggle with writing even when they are taught well?
Writing is one of the most complex skills children are asked to develop — it demands the simultaneous coordination of fine motor control, letter formation knowledge, phonological awareness, vocabulary, sentence construction, and the ability to hold and organise ideas. When children struggle with writing, it is rarely a single problem.
It is almost always a cluster of foundational skill gaps that, unless identified precisely and addressed systematically, will continue to limit progress regardless of how much direct writing instruction is provided.
The gap Launchpad identifies
The full architecture of writing — and where it breaks down
Launchpad unpacks the full developmental architecture of writing — from early mark-making and grip development, through to motor automaticity, letter formation, and the cognitive skills needed for composition. By assessing across the motor, phonological, language, and symbolic skill strands simultaneously, practitioners can identify exactly which combination of gaps is preventing each child from progressing as a writer.
- Fine motor control — grip, manipulation, and hand-eye coordination
- Mark-making progression — from exploratory marks to intentional letter forms
- Motor automaticity — freeing cognitive load for composition
- Phonological encoding — the skills that underpin spelling
- Vocabulary and sentence construction for composition
- Symbolic and creative skills — idea generation and story-telling foundations
How Launchpad solves it
Assess → Identify → Build → Track
Step 1 — Assess
Map the full picture
Use Launchpad's motor and literacy readiness assessments to identify which physical and cognitive skills the child has secured and which remain as developmental gaps.
Step 2 — Identify
Isolate the primary barrier
Determine whether the barrier is primarily motor, phonological, linguistic, or a combination — and at exactly which developmental point the gap emerges.
Step 3 — Build
Build foundations systematically
Follow step-by-step motor and language progressions to build writing foundations systematically, embedding practice into meaningful and motivating contexts.
Step 4 — Track
Evidence skill development
Monitor progress in each underpinning skill strand and evidence development for pupil progress reviews, writing moderation, and SEND documentation.
What's included for members
Everything you need in one place
- Fine motor skills assessment and progression (Steps 1 through 33)
- Mark-making to letter formation developmental guidance
- Phonological encoding skill steps for spelling development
- Vocabulary and sentence construction progression
- Symbolic and creative skills strand — the foundation of compositional writing
- CPD resources to build team understanding of writing development
Who this is for
Built for literacy leaders and classroom practitioners
- Literacy leaders responsible for raising writing outcomes
- Class teachers whose children are significantly behind in writing
- SENCOs supporting children with dyspraxia, DCD, or motor difficulties
- Early years practitioners building pre-writing foundations from age 2+
Real impact
What schools are saying
32%
Fine motor on track in Reception autumn term
88%
Fine motor on track by spring term after Launchpad intervention
4→68%
Children on track for literacy — autumn to spring
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Rec Autumn fine motor on track: 32%. Rec Spring fine motor on track: 88%. Launchpad transformed our understanding of what children actually needed.
EYFS Lead, New Delaval Primary School – Northumberland
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It provides us with key tracking assessment tools, ensuring children make accelerated progress from low starting points.
Diane Jeffries, Director of Early Years – WISE Academies