2026 Handwriting Symposium: Handwriting Matters: Teaching, Support & Inclusion from Early Years to Secondary
The National Handwriting Association is pleased to host the 2026 Handwriting Symposium at Liverpool John Moores University.
Monday 8th June 2026 at 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Speakers
Dr Tim Mills MBE
Lead Author of The Department of Education’s Writing Framework
This session will aim to bust the myths about The Writing Framework and offer clarity on on the implementation of the framework in schools.
Professor Anna Barnett
Author of MABC‑3 and DASH‑2
Professor Barnett will introduce the updated Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH‑2) and explain how it can be used across different levels of assessment in both school and clinical settings.
Professor Jill Zwicker
Professor of Occupational Therapy, developmental neuroscientist, and author of Write Like A Pro!
Professor Zwicker will share evidence on interventions that support motor learning in children, with a particular focus on handwriting. She will present findings from her research and provide an overview of her Write Like A Pro! targeted programme for handwriting.
Sarah Reay
Class teacher, specialist assessor, SENCO, Senior Lecturer, and Head of Professional Services at PATTOSS Dyslexia Charity
This session will focus on accommodations for writing during periods of transition.
The symposium also provides opportunities to hear about research on handwriting versus typing in adolescents with handwriting difficulties, as well as chances to ‘bring a problem’ and get advice on it. Delegates will also have opportunities to hear from and interact with our corporate members.
Coming to the Symposium? Then we would love to hear from you! Please fill in our questionnaire to share your biggest handwriting challenge. We will try to address as many of your responses as possible on the day.
Lunch and refreshments provided
Members: £35 (please log in to have your discount automatically applied)
Non-members: £50
