Success For All

The five zone primary schools have adopted an American approach to teaching pupils reading, writing and comprehension skills.

They have moved away from the literacy hour in favour of a 90-minute programme based on inclusion.

Under the scheme pupils of different ages are mixed together and taught according to their ability not age.

It means there is no "down time" when higher level or lower level children "switch-off" as the lesson is pitched to the "middle-of-the-road" youngsters.

And it develops self-esteem, as younger pupils look up to older ones in their group.

'Move on up'
All pupils are assessed every eight weeks so they have the chance to move up a level - no-one ever moves down.

It is particularly helpful for pupils with English as a second language because it allows them to progress steadily rather than move down a school year.

Lower graded pupils are taught the "Roots" curriculum, with others following the "Wings".

In Roots, the pupil to adult ratio is about five to one. Activities include book reading, question and answer sessions and learning alphabet sounds.

Sessions run on a theme and encourage pupils to work together.

Activity sheets
In Wings, there is a pupil to adult ratio of about 24 to one. Pupils are encourage to pick and learn their own books which have back-up activity sheets. In the literacy hour children only ever read passages.

All children in Roots and Wings have a partner with whom they practise all their answers - the partnership is also part of a team of four children.

The children are each responsible for their team's learning and lessons are structured so pupils are forced to work together.

Bankside Primary School is one of two primaries in the country trying out 'Curiosity Corner' - an early years curriculum which is run with the same principles of learning together in mind. Children are encouraged with their language skills by Curiosity Cat - a grey toy kitten.

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