Mind the gap Jonathan Douglas The National Literacy Trust When using this template be sure to change ‘save as type’ when saving to ‘Presentation’. This is the top option on the drop down menu.

All 11 year olds’ reading scores declined between May and September – even those who had attended summer literacy scheme. (NFER and QCA, 1997)

An ecological model

Reasons identified by teachers for pupils not making progress at the start of KS3 “Educational reasons” – 70% Attendance – 57% Behaviour – 47% Home life - 45% Major “life issue” (bullying, illness, etc - 35%) Hayes & Clay, Leeds University, 2005

Trauma of transition Friendship groups disrupted/dispersed New institutional context Distrust at secondary entry of attainment at end of primary – repeat of baseline testing 30% of pupils experience bullying at this point – 72% of these children do not settle well Negative issues more significant for children from poorer socio-economic groups More significant for children from ethnic minority backgrounds – home languages a significant factor EPPSE 2008

Redefining identity Biological changes – massive impact of timing of earlier sexual maturation Shift in relationship with peers with significant impact on attitudes and behaviour Renegotiation of family relationships

Types of reading 2005 and 2009

Kensuke’s Kingdom in Tower Hamlets Literacy the solution

Is it an issue of underperformance at KS3? Are year 7 teachers underestimating pupils’ skills? (65% of pupil “underachievement” in Y6 is not a surprise to teachers – Greenwich study by Leeds Uni) Can linear progress be sustained from KS1 to 4?

An evaluation of a NLT project run over the primary-secondary transfer period found that pupils felt that the project helped them with the transition. The evaluation suggested that this is likely to be because of a combination of factors social, emotional and educational factors, including some academic benefits from increased reading (Mervyn, P. Reading is Fundamental, UK/DfES Excellence in Cities partnership transition programme

Follow jdliteracytrust on Twitter Thank you! Follow jdliteracytrust on Twitter Jonathan.douglas@literacytrust.org.uk www.literacytrust.org.uk www.readingforlife.org.uk