The National Literacy Trust: Closing the Gap with Technology

Recently we have been working with The National Literacy Trust presenting our work at their conferences titled “How to be outstanding in the New National Curriculum.” The National Literacy Trust is a national charity dedicated to raising literacy levels in the UK. The charity is committed to improving the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK's most disadvantaged communities, where up to 40 per cent of people have literacy problems.

In terms of “closing the gap” the approach we developed for the National Literacy Trust makes a rapid and sustained impact for all pupils. It is based on the use of technology to support the complete writing process from initial talk through to publishing and sharing with an audience, including key steps such as visual sequencing, drafting, collaboration and feedback. The elements of the New National Curriculum related in particular to speaking and listening underpinning progress in reading and writing, and participation in presentations and debates fit perfectly with the approach we developed in the classroom. Our Spring Term Courses will give headteachers, subject co-ordinators and teachers the opportunity to experience the impact of our whole school approach to using technology to raise standards through outstanding teaching across the curriculum.

Chris Williams presenting our work in London for the Nat Lit Trust

It was encouraging to work with Patrica Metham, lead HMI for English/Literacy who works closely with The National Literacy Trust. She shares our view that outstanding teaching involves enterprising use of digital technology, lots of opportunities for drama and role-play, relevant real-world tasks and presentation to a relevant and meaningful audience.

The National Literacy Trust is dedicated to raising literacy levels in the UK and will be holding a series of inspirational conferences at the beginning of 2014 in London, Manchester and York, that will support literacy professionals to achieve outstanding progress in their schools.

The conferences will focus on the new National Curriculum and will cover issues such as: effective use of the Pupil Premium; closing the literacy gap for boys; how to be outstanding in the new National Curriculum; and improving writing through effective grammar teaching. John Dunford, Pupil premium Champion for the Department for Education, and Patricia Metham, HMI, National Lead for English, Ofsted are just two of the range of expert speakers.  

See further details and book online at: www.literacytrust.org.uk/events.

They are currently offering a discount on the January events, use code DECBE when booking to claim 10% off the price of these conferences, for a limited time only.

We continue to share our work with schools across the UK and overseas through our training sessions, classroom projects and planning support.  This video created as part of  a Year 6 geography project was created using Explain Everything and iMovie and illustrates clearly how creative use of technology can lead to powerful outcomes.