February 2015
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Bringing together key policymakers and stakeholders, this seminar focused on policies and practice designed to improve standards of literacy and encourage young people to read for pleasure.
The seminar followed the release of a report by the Libraries All-Party Parliamentary Group, The Beating Heart of the School, which called for Ofsted's school inspection framework to take account of school libraries. Delegates discussed challenges for school libraries including improving links with public libraries and modernisation of facilities. Sessions also looked at whether the introduction of a new National Curriculum, alongside reformed GCSEs and A-levels for English will succeed in Government's aim of raising standards.
Changing trends in reading such as the increased use of e-books alongside further steps which can be taken to further encourage reading outside of school were also considered.
Further sessions looked at the impact phonics screening tests at the end of Year 1, and new grammar and punctuation tests at KS2, have had on improving literacy levels since their introduction, as well as the effect of new Key Stage 2 reading tests and how to support literacy improvement amongst pupils with SEN.
