Too many primary school children in Stoke-on-Trent are falling behind in their reading, Ofsted finds
26 Jun 2014 03:40 PM
Ofsted today published
findings which show too many primary school children in Stoke-on-Trent are
falling behind in their reading.
It finds the teaching of reading
in seven of the city’s schools visited falls below the national standard
and, as a result, pupils are not being adequately prepared for secondary
school.
The report, Ready to Read?,
coincides with today’s (26 June) Primary Reading Conference being held in
the city. The conference has been organised to improve literacy standards for
pupils in the area. Tristram Hunt, Shadow Education Secretary and Member of
Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central, will deliver a keynote speech at the
event.
Between January and March 2014
Ofsted inspectors, in collaboration with thelocal authority, undertook a study
of 12 primary schools in Stoke-on-Trent to see how well reading is taught. The
study also assessed whether the schools were aware of and understood the new
requirements of the National Curriculum for reading which will be introduced in
September 2014.
The key judgments of the report
found that:
- The teaching of reading required
improvement or was inadequate in seven of the twelve schools
visited;
- Almost all of the schools failed
to link effectively the teaching of early reading and early
writing;
- Too little thought was given to
ensuring pupils read a broad range of books on a regular basis;
and
- Low expectations of
pupils’ reading skills in four of the schools was limiting their
progress.
The report outlines a number of
recommendations to schools in Stoke-on-Trent to help improve the reading and
writing of pupils in the city. This includes:
- Ensuring leaders and staff are
familiar with, and prepared for, the 2014 National Curriculum programme for
reading;
- Making sure phonics is used as
the primary strategy for teaching early reading;
- Improving the assessment of
pupils’ attainment and holding teachers to account for their progress;
and
- Communicating better with
parents about how their children are being taught to read and the progress they
are making.
Regional Director for the West
Midlands, Lorna Fitzjohn, commented on the findings of the
report:
'Our findings today show
that vital work needs to be done if we are to improve pupils’ reading in
Stoke-on-Trent.
'Of the 23,300 children
attending primary school in the city, over 7,000 go to a school that is either
judged to be inadequate or requires improvement. Whilst there are schools in
the area that should be commended for the work they are doing to prepare
children for their next steps in life, too many schools have low expectations
for their pupils. These schools need to do more to ensure children are getting
an education of a similar quality to other parts of the
country.
'I therefore urge teachers
and school leaders to look at the findings we are presenting today and consider
where improvements could be made to ensure that we put an end to primary school
children in Stoke-on-Trent falling behind in their reading
skills.'
Notes to
editors
- The report, Ready to Read?
How primary schools in Stoke-on-Trent teach pupils to read, is available on the
Ofsted website
- The schools visited as part of
the report were: Ash Green Primary School; Alexandra Primary School; Burnwood
Primary School; Greenways Primary School; Hillside Primary School; Milton
Primary School; Oakhill Primary School; Our Lady’s Catholic Primary
School; Sandon Primary School; Stoke Minster Primary School; St Joseph’s
Catholic Primary School; and St Gregory’s Catholic Primary
School.
- There were 23,300 children
attending primary school in Stoke-on-Trent according to figures from
the Department for Education. In all, 7,000 children go to a school that
is either judged to be inadequate or which requires improvement, according to
Ofsted Dataview as of 31 March 2014.
- The National Curriculum 2014
Framework is available on the Department for Education website,https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum
- The Office for Standards in
Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects
to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in
education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects
childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and
Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial
teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and
community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure
establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects
services for looked after children, safeguarding and child
protection.
- Media can contact the Ofsted
Press Office through 03000 130415 or via Ofsted’s enquiry line 0300
1231231 between 8.30am – 6.00pm, Monday – Friday. Out of these
hours, during evenings and weekends, the duty press officer can be reached on
07919 057359.
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