DYT Week Ahead: Growing literacy gap revealed by new reading study
4/3/2019
4th March 2019
DYT’s Top Story:
Last week we met with Ofsted to begin our process of engaging with the inspectorate to help shape their new inspection framework and handbook.
Keep an eye out for DYT’s full response which will be public soon, for now have a look at our thoughts on Ofsted’s proposals so far.
News round-up:
Growing literacy gap revealed by new reading study
A new national survey, published by literacy and assessment provider Renaissance UK, found that that transfer to secondary school has a striking effect even on highly motivated readers. Responding to the report, Chris Rossiter, CEO of the Driver Youth Trust said “the government’s focus on early literacy must be replicated at secondary level to ensure that literacy needs are met for all learners.”
Where have the pupils in mainstream schools with EHC plans gone?
FFT EduDataLab looked into the increasing numbers of SEND pupils educated outside of mainstream provision. Karen Wespieser, Director of Operations at DYT told Schools Week it was vital that there was investment in new qualifications so that teachers have the “awareness, capacity and knowledge to allow them to meet the requirements of learners with SEND”.
DYT in ResearchED magazine
Our Director of Operations, Karen Wespieser can be found on page 23 of the new ResearchED magazine. A shorter version of the piece: “Everyone’s a teacher of SEND” is also available on our website.
Secondary schools must reintroduce reading out loud
The Telegraph interviews schools minister Nick Gibb, who has called for pupils throughout secondary school to be reading novels out loud in class. Gibb told the paper: “If you encourage children to get into that habit then they will improve their speed of reading and become more proficient readers and then they will just enjoy it more.”
DYT’s Week Ahead:
Monday:
At 4:30pm there will be (another!) debate on school funding. It follows a petition calling for increased funding for schools received over 100,000 signatures, Labour MP Liz Twist will present the petition before MPs will once again take up their lines on this issue. It shows that school funding remains high on the public’s conscious, DYT will be repeating our call that the government must invest in literacy for all or be prepared to pay for it later.
Tuesday:
At 10am the Education Committee holds a round-table discussion with representatives from the health sector, including Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister of State for Care, about the issues facing the health sector when supporting children with SEND.
Wednesday:
Dr Andrew Murrison MP leads an adjournment debate on SEND provision in Wiltshire, where he is likely to raise his objection of the closure of a special school in his constituency.
Thursday:
Is World Book Day – read our blog from last year about what you can do in your school to celebrate.
Get in touch:
Dan Baynes
Policy Executive
daniel.baynes@driveryouthtrust.com