In a world that feels increasingly digital, where "swiping" often comes before "scribbling," you might ask: Should we still place such a high premium on the humble pen?

The answer lies in the incredible success of our pupils at this year’s SATIPS National Handwriting Competition. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that St Bernard’s Prep has been crowned the Overall National Winner, a prestigious title that reflects the dedication of our entire community.

In addition to this whole-school success, our pupils achieved 12 individual awards across every age group. From our youngest entrants to our Year 6 pupils, the results were outstanding:

• 1st Place Winners: Amyrah (8 yrs), Layla (9 yrs), and Ira (10 yrs).
• 2nd Place Winners: Lauren (6 yrs), Amreece (7 yrs), Myra (8 yrs), Harmani (9 yrs), and Shrey (10 yrs).
• 3rd Place Winners: Aarush (6 yrs), Tashvi (8 yrs), Ameya (9 yrs), and Dea (11 yrs).

The importance of handwriting

While these achievements are a wonderful celebration of our pupils’ efforts, our commitment to handwriting extends far beyond competition success. Research continues to show that writing by hand plays a vital role in children’s cognitive development.

Recent neuroscientific research (including major studies from 2024 and 2025) from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) highlights why the physical act of writing is irreplaceable:

• Superior Brain Connectivity: Unlike the repetitive motion of typing, forming letters by hand requires complex "graphomotor" skills. This activates a widespread neural network that connects the motor, visual, and cognitive parts of the brain.
• The "Reading Circuit": Handwriting is the "secret key" to literacy. Studies show that a child’s brain recruits the "reading circuit" much more effectively after they have physically written letters compared to when they have typed or traced them.
• Deepened Learning & Memory: Writing by hand naturally slows the mind down, allowing for "deeper encoding." This means children don't just record information; they process it, understand it, and remember it for longer.

Writing Our Own Story

At St Bernard’s Prep, handwriting is about more than presentation. It supports concentration, independence, and the foundations of academic success.

We congratulate our 12 individual award winners and all pupils who took part in the competition. Their achievements demonstrate that, even in a digital age, the value of the written word remains as strong as ever.

Click here to register for our forthcoming open day