The Early Intervention Programme

Raising Standards in Literacy and Numeracy

Western Isles Council

Strategy

The first phase of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Early Intervention project focuses on literacy with numeracy in the second phase.

The aim is to raise the level of achievement in reading and writing for all pupils at the early stages of Primary School.

Scope

In the first phase, development of the Early Intervention project has focused on 4 schools with plans to extend models of good practice to all schools in the Authority.

The 4 schools involved in the project are:

	Classes	No of children
Stornoway Primary School	P1/2	83
Laxdale Primary School	P1/2	38
Balivanich Primary School	P1/2	30
Iochdar Primary School	P1/2	30

Achievements and emerging lessons

All 4 schools have indicated that involvement in the project has been a very positive experience

The deployment of nursery nurses to the 4 schools has been deemed invaluable

Literacy has been given a high profile - not just within the Early Stages

Teaching of reading has been made a priority

Teachers coming together to share experiences, discussing teaching strategies, sharing information on resources used

Enhanced professional development - more Inset has been provided.

Local Views

"Increased time for teacher input during reading group time - eg questioning, discussing, sequencing etc".

"Working in small groups allows teacher to highlight and address individual needs".

"Benefits are endless for all - quality input".

"Provision of extra personnel has enabled all P1 and P2 children to have opportunity for increased proportion of adult attention and greater variety of activities during daily literacy period".