| East Lothian Council |
|
| Strategy |
| The overall aim of East Lothian
Council states that East Lothian Council will safeguard, promote and improve the
social, economic, environmental and democratic well being of the people of East Lothian.
|
| All Council employees are urged
to think and act corporately rather than departmentally, bringing our many individual
skills together across the Council to maximise benefit to the community. |
| In this spirit a meeting was
convened in early March 1997 with representatives from schools, Community Development,
Social Work and Library Services. Medical personnel and other health professionals were
also represented. The aim of the meeting was to discuss cross boundary strategies for
early intervention. It was decided that it was appropriate to target Prestonpans.
Subsequently, a working group of Prestonpans Headteachers and Quality Assurance personnel
was established. Schools involved are Prestonpans Nursery School, Prestonpans Infant
School, and St Gabriel’s RC Primary School. Consultation has also taken place with
Preston Lodge High School and Prestonpans Primary School. The Prestonpans bid grew from
the work of this group. |
| We have adopted a multifaceted
approach. In Year 1 this involved Nursery and Primary schools, additional Nursery
Nurses/ Learning Support staff, Library staff and Community Development staff. In
Year 2, to target families earlier, we have brought on board two Speech/Language
Therapists who will work on the W.I.L.S.T.A.A.R. Programme - Ward Infant Language
Screening Test. They are making initial contact in Health Centres at the infant
8 month check ups. |
| |
| Scope |
| Over 300 children are
participating across three schools. |
| |
| Achievements and emerging Lessons
|
| Prestonpans Nursery School
|
- more knowledge of the conventions of books
- much higher level of letter names and sounds observed in the
context of play experiences
- higher level of recognition of names
- more children choosing books and experimenting with writing
|
| Prestonpans Infant School and
St Gabriel’s Primary School |
| Primary 1 - More children
at higher stage in reading scheme than in any previous year. More children reading
confidently from individual books. Many children can read 100 key words most have 50 key
words. |
| Primary 2 - Improved
writing and reading levels and general interest in reading. |
| Library - Library staff
have had to buy new furniture and extend the children’s section. 118 nursery
packs have been issued. Number of persons joining library increasing. |
| Continuing Education -
increased parent awareness and involvement. The key workers is targeting nursery parents
with regard to continuity of curriculum, encouraging interest through newsletters and
ideas sheets and making early contact with parents in Health Centre. |
| |
| Emerging Lessons |
- A multi-agency approach involves the whole community.
- A Literacy-Link person identified in school is very helpful.
- Whole team meetings very useful for constant reflection and
information sharing.
- Careful ongoing evaluation is critical.
- One-to-one meetings with co-ordinator necessary to tease out
problems
|
| |
| Local Views |
| Parent - "As a parent I
believe the Early Intervention programme has been beneficial in preparing me for my child
going to school.." |
|
| Nursery Nurse - "I am
conscious of a heightened awareness of print in nursery children and interest in our
literacy areas has continued to be maintained." |
|
| Headteacher - "The Early
Intervention programme has built on existing practice with additional staff and resources
focusing our communication and language skills. Significant gains are appearing in reading
skills and in writing...." |
