Yvonne McBlain & Yvonne Manning, Falkirk Children’s Services literacy development team members attended the latest Education Scotland National Literacy Network meeting on 15th March 2019 (note aims in slide below & click here to view the full presentation for the network meeting day). Representatives from each Regional Collaborative were seated together for the first time, meaning that “the Yvonnes” were able to work with colleagues from our neighbouring authorities as well as those from the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
Notes from agenda items:
Education Scotland Update on literacy team: Jane Renton assistant director Education Scotland introduced the new national literacy team: Paul Morgan & Helen Fairlie, Senior Education Officers, Literacy and English, Kirsten Hume, Lesley Lennon and Julie Jamieson, Education Scotland Literacy and English Development Officers.
The team provided a guided tour of the new “One stop shop” Literacy for All hub in Glow – “the Yvonnes” will send all establishments the link to this hub once it is officially launched in August-September 2019.
The Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools 5 year national strategy was shared – see slide above for strategy. A Glow one-stop shop Librarian Hub – is also under construction.
Applications for the Scottish Education Awards 2019 have come from all sectors and will be judged in April/May and celebrated at the awards ceremony in June. The best applications embedded literacy well throughout the curriculum, and shared established practice which evidenced impact on learners.
There have been 18 applications to run seminars in raising attainment in literacy at the Scottish Learning Festival in September 2019. The focus this year is on achieving excellence and equity through:
- Creating a culture of empowerment that enables everyone involved in the system to contribute to the agenda of improvement
- The importance of wellbeing in developing a healthy, successful learning community.
The latest ACER National Report for 2017/18 – including SNSA summary overview is available by clicking here
The QAMSO literacy programme continues to develop and evolve – the second round of moderation events will take place in May/June and will look at achievement of a level in reading/writing/listening and talking from early to fourth levels.
Click on the following links to view new literacy Resources which were highlighted :
- National Literacy Network (Glow log in required)
- National Improvement Hub reading for pleasure/creating a reading culture resource.
- Introduction to inclusive education professional learning resource
- Addressing Dyslexia resources
- Link to Education Scotland Newsletter subscription
Jennifer Harwood School Communities Officer, Scottish Book Trust described the new Bookbug app and shared First Minister’s Reading Challenge resources (Submissions due by 1st May 2019 – new submission advice is available via “Your Reading Journey through Film” animation) – a new app is also being developed with pupils for secondary schools), a HGIOS 4 resource, and author live videos are available through scottishbooktrust.com
Professor Sue Ellis, University of Strathclyde then asked us to consider What should we think about for equitable literacy teaching? What kinds of teacher knowledge, skills, actions and guidance are required to create a truly inclusive literacy curriculum, one that challenges everyone whilst narrowing the gap between rich and poor. Click here to read more.
Each RIC group had time to explore how they support planning and progression of literacy – “the Yvonnes” shared our Falkirk Literacy and English Progression Pathways.
In the afternoon, we heard from Mary Ann Hagan, HMI – click here to read her update on Literacy within the Scottish Attainment Challenge. Then David Swinney, Subject Implementation Manager, Scottish Qualifications Agency, provided an update and spoke about SQA English NQ resources & SQA update subscription sign up
