Phonics and Handwriting
Cambridge Phonics and Handwriting is a structured, research-informed scheme designed to help young learners build strong foundations in reading and writing. Developed by phonics and handwriting experts, it supports both first and second language English learners from age three. It also aligns with Cambridge Early Years and Primary English/English as a Second Language, as well as supporting wider English language teaching and learning.
The scheme is organised into four steps:
- Step 1: Phonological awareness and mark-making.
- Step 2: Letters and their sounds.
- Step 3: Groups of letters and their sounds.
- Step 4: Refining fundamental phonics and handwriting skills.
Each of these steps supports learners as they develop the interrelated skills of phonics and handwriting, empowering them to become confident readers and writers in English.
Why choose Cambridge Phonics and Handwriting?
Flexible and inclusive
Created for children with any home language or level of English, schools can adapt content to suit different language backgrounds so that all learners feel supported and included.
Evidence-based design
Our phonics and handwriting scheme has been built using global research and
Cambridge English Corpus data, which is a large database containing real examples of spoken and written English. Based on this research, children learn the most useful words, letters, and sounds first - making reading and writing easier to grasp for international learners.
Cambridge alignment
Our alignment with Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary English/English as a Second Language helps children meet important literacy learning objectives.
Teaching and learning support
The scheme uses systematic synthetic phonics and letter-family handwriting approaches to give teachers a clear structure and proven methods. Teaching both phonics and handwriting together in this way helps children make meaningful links between sounds and letters.
Assessment guidance
Assessment tools are available for 1:1 and group assessment, with daily monitoring opportunities, checklists and examples to support, making it easy to track progress and respond to individual learning.
Front-of-class digital support (Coming in 2026)
Learning is made fun and engaging with interactive activities, handwriting animations, and pronunciation videos, available as part of our teaching resources on
Cambridge GO.
Professional development (Coming in 2026)
Our dedicated self-study course helps build teacher confidence and supports effective teaching tailored to diverse learner needs.
Whether you're introducing phonics and handwriting for the first time or looking to enhance your current provision, our scheme offers a complete solution that grows with your learners.
Get started
The Cambridge Phonics and Handwriting Framework is included in the programme fee for schools that offer Cambridge Early Years or Primary. If you are already registered with us, you can start teaching phonics and handwriting immediately. The teaching and learning resources are available for an additional cost. If you are interested in becoming a Cambridge school, complete our Expression of Interest form.