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Learning

City Learning Trust Burslem School of Art Keele University Staffordshire University Stoke and Staffordshire LEP

 

Stoke Reads update - 01/08/2017

  • Synectics champions reading
  • Get involved in Words for Work
  • Rewards for reading
  • Little Library van heads to the city's parks
  • Hanley Park supports Stoke Reads
  • Get involved in the Summer Reading Challenge
  • <read more here>

2017 AGM report - Learning update

 

Three Counties Open Art Exhibition

2017

CHESHIRE | SHROPSHIRE | STAFFORDSHIRE

BURSLEM SCHOOL OF ART

22 JULY – 31 AUGUST

<more info>

National Literacy Trust Hubs

National Literacy Trust Hubs are a place-based solution to intergenerational low literacy. Hubs harness community assets to address poverty and joblessness through campaigning, influencing and supporting attitudes and behaviours around literacy. Activity is targeted at wards, groups and communities most at risk of low literacy.

In our Hubs we broker partnerships between local authorities, businesses, health and education organisations, libraries, sporting and cultural organisations, and faith and voluntary community groups.  We deliver literacy support in innovative ways to those in greatest need, establishing sustainable partnerships to tackle low literacy in the long term.

Why Stoke-on-Trent?

As Stoke-on-Trent’s economy continues to develop, the role of education is vital for preparing young people for employment.

Literacy is particularly important, as areas with low literacy levels are often associated with high levels of worklessness and deprivation. Improving literacy contributes to economic growth by helping individuals to gain the skills they need to access high-quality jobs and providing businesses with access to a skilled local workforce.

While solid progress has been made in recent years to boost educational outcomes in the city, particularly in primary schools and the early years through Stoke Speaks Out, there is room for improvement.

In 2015, the percentage of students in Stoke-on-Trent achieving five GCSEs grade A*-C including English and maths was 48%, compared to 57% of pupils nationally. This figure drops to just 31% of disadvantaged students in Stoke.

The Hub will complement existing activity and focus on secondary school practitioners, pupils and families, building on the improvements that have been made at primary school.

Stoke-on-Trent Literacy Hub

The Stoke-on-Trent Literacy Hub aims to develop a city of confident communicative young people who are ambitious and have the skills to fulfil their potential.

In the long term, the goal is to increase the percentage of young people achieving English GCSE, and the number of children in higher risk groups reading and communicating at the level expected for their age at the end of Key Stage 3 and 4.

Delivered in partnership with the City Learning Trust, the Hub strives to improve the literacy teaching workforce in the city and increase local business involvement in literacy, amplifying local resources and commitment to the issue.

What will we do?

National Literacy Trust Network membership – all schools in Stoke-on-Trent will have membership to the National Literacy Trust Network, which provides a huge range of information, resources and connections for outstanding literacy provision.

Literacy and Language across the curriculum CPD training – secondary schools in Stoke-on-Trent will have access to professional development training, which provides both literacy leaders and teachers of other subjects with the strategies to improve literacy in their schools.

One-to-one coaching and mentoring – secondary schools will also have the opportunity to receive tailored support to address school-specific needs and areas of focus.

Research – pupils in Stoke will complete an annual literacy survey, which will track reading and writing attitudes and behaviours. We will also conduct a survey of practitioners, which highlights their understanding of and confidence in tackling low literacy. Both surveys are used nationally making it possible to benchmark against national findings and trends.

Campaign – Stoke Reads will encourage the whole city to read for enjoyment and help parents to support their child’s literacy skills.

Business activity – there will be opportunities for businesses to get involved and support the Hub through a Stoke-on-Trent Business Promise.

Find out more at www.stokereads.org.uk.