1

Presentation Primary Warrenmount 13611D

Observations and Suggestions on the Draft National Plan toImprove Literacy and Numeracy in Schools

As a DEIS Band 1 school we have a particular interest in literacy and numeracy.The resource team read the draft and would like to mak~the followingcomments.

. We welcome the fact that the plan is clearly laid out andJargon free.

. We agree with the definition of literacy in the introduction which includes broadcastand digital media, as increasingly IT is taking a central role in the teaching of literacyand numeracy

. P.II, 1.4 The strategies outlined here- whole-school commitment, realistic target-

setting, planning, delivering, monitoring progress, makin~ adjustments -arefundamental to educational change. In our experience these steps have been the key toour success in improving scores in literacy and numeracy under the DEIS plan.

. P.13, 1.6 Would suggest replacing the word 'relentless' with a more positive'sustained' or 'persistent'We would suggest that the teaching of literacy and num~racybe integrated across allaspects of the curriculum informallv as children who are failing in those areas need toenjoy subjects without feeling pressure.

. P 18, 2.5We welcome the plans to set higher standards in entry requirements.

However we think 2012-2013 is unfair to students already started on the two yearleaving cert course as they may have already made decisions that would rule out ITE.

. We welcome the extension or the ITE course and the increased emphasis on schoolbased teaching practice and the discontinuation of the academic subjects. It isimportant that Special Education Needs also be prioritised.

. We welcome the recognition that teachers need upskilling in the new programmes.As a DEIS school the children have benefited enormously from Reading Recovery,Maths Recovery and First Steps. We have also introducedJolly Phonics, intensivetesting and teaching of basic sight words Dolch levels 1 and 2. Guidance from PPDSwas essential to successful implementation of the above.

. P25, 4.1 We welcome 'learning outcome design' . Wewouldalsorecommendclosercommunication between Primary and Secondary, particu' !U"lyin the case of childrenwith SEN to ensure that information on assessment levels is not lost in the transition.

. P27, 4.3We welcome the restructuring of the infant curriculum and intervention at JuniorInfant level rather than later. We would point out however that S.E.N. allocationshave not been updated for several years and that we are f..readystretched to provideintervention for older children.

We would also advise that assessments devised should be clear and easy to administeras to limit time spent on testing.

~

2

4.5 We welcome the review of the curriculum and the inl;ceasein the recommended

time for literacy and numeracy. We ask that clear guideli.lesbe given re the allocationof time to other subjects.

. P.36, 5.6 While we welcome the overall approach to EAL, we have serious concernsabout reducing EAL support in schools. We have over 3(1%multicultural children. Atpresent our EAL teachers collaborate with class teachers through team teaching for

power hour in first and fifth classes, in-class support in J~or classes (where in somecases up to 50% of children do not have English as their first language) andwithdrawal for small groups with specific needs. These interventions are vital to ourongoing efforts to improve literacy and withdrawal of these teachers would be a gravebackward step. No matter how upskilled they are Class tt-acherscannot teach literacyand numeracy to a class where a large number of children do not have the basic levelof English.In the past three years we have seen considerable improv~mentsin our Micra T andsigma T scores thanks to the commitment of staff to DEIS interventions.If the number of EAL teachers is reduced we know that the levels would againdrop, as these teachers are essential to the delivery of DEIS programmes.Our EAL teachers are a vital link between parents and school. It is the humancontact that ensures that the families are made famili .r with and see the

importance of education in Ireland. Extra CPD funding will not address thishugely important aspect which has import for not onlj' this generation but forour ongoing levels of literacy and numeracy in Ireland.

· P41, 6.5 We welcome the idea of 'Schools like ours' and are glad to see that thereport does not wish to produce 'league-tables'

· Chapter 7 We welcome the Draft Plan's acknowledgement of the significant impact

of parental support on student's development. It recognises that children achieve more

when their parents take an active interest in their educa ion. However, the Plan does

not give credit for all the work being done by Home School Community Liaison Co-

ordinators across the country. The role of the HSCL is to create successful

home/school/community linkages and greater parental involvement in school life.

Through initiatives such as Reading for Fun and Maths for Fun, parents are

encouraged to become more involved in their child's literacy and numeracy

development. Progran1mesthat promote parental involvement have been extremely

successful in our school. This success is largely due to the work of the HSCL in

creating positive relationships with parents. These relationships are established over

time and create a welcoming and supportive environme"ltin which parents, many of

whom may have had a negative experience of school themselves, feel comfortable

contributing to school life

I}

r

3

/ The importance of educational resources in the home is recognised in the Plan. In our

school, the HSCL directly influences the amount of books in the children's home

through literacy schemes where parents are given books to read with their children

each evening. This encourages parents to become actively involved in their child's

literacy development. Parents in our school have often ( I(pressedconcern about their

ability to help their children with Maths homework. In response to this, the HSCL set

up a support class for all parents to enable them to fully support their child's

numeracy development.

rI

,

r

I This is a comprehensive plan which has the potential to greatly improve literacy and

numeracy levels in Ireland. Our SEN team took considerable time to read and discuss

it. If quoted we would appreciate it that our comments be published in total.

Principal