Leading literacy schools initiative reported as ‘excellent’

Wednesday 04/11/2009

The Leading Literacy Schools initiative, now ITT: Leading Partners in Literacy, part of the National Strategies’ work to support Initial Teacher Training (ITT), is proving to be a success according to recent research carried out by the Henley Business School.

The initiative, which began in 2008, is a joint National Strategies and Training and  Development Agency (TDA) activity designed to bring a new emphasis to literacy training for trainee primary teachers.

The independent report - The Evaluation of the Leading Literacy Schools Initiative by the Henley Business School - is overwhelmingly positive about the initiative describing it as very effective. 
 

The findings show that the initiative has tapped into the enthusiasm and creativity of practitioners to deliver a positive impact and that it is highly praised by those involved, being described as “excellent and worthwhile”.The report states: “The effectiveness of the initiative has been due largely to its flexible approach and the way in which schools and ITT providers were able to use their own skills and expertise to develop the initiative.”
 

ITT providers are working in partnership with 689 schools to develop a wide range of activities which promote and extend training in literacy teaching, in particular for early reading. To reflect the strengthening of partnerships the initiative has been renamed ITT: Leading Partners in Literacy (ITT: LPL).
 

The initiative is an important innovation, designed to strengthen ITT in the teaching and assessment of literacy in line with the recommendations of the Rose Review of Early Reading (2006) and the national priorities. The report is available at: www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/nationalstrategies/pr6/lls

Media Contact
Jane Parrack, Deputy Marketing and Communications Manager, The National Strategies 0118 918 2617 or jane.parrack@nationalstrategies.co.uk