Literacy Focus 3: proofreading Students currently hand in work which contains mistakes they could have spotted and corrected; Proofreading and redrafting are so important because they allow students to take responsibility for their own literacy; The aim is to develop a culture in which students will only hand in their very best work.

Proofreading Policy In writing tasks that are designated by the teacher, students must proofread and identify errors for themselves, using the marking symbols. This could involve self or peer assessment and is an exemplary ReAct task. Using the streamlined marking symbols as a proofreading code will help to familiarise students with the symbols.

Gemma Harvey Proofreading in ReAct time In KS3 I have been making time for students to read back over their work and in a red pen correct SPAG or underline words they think are incorrect. By proofreading they can see where work does not make sense and have a greater pride and ownership in their work. This also gives them time to reflect on their work against the learning outcomes and create a next target.

Karen Roskilly Proofreading in Sociology – skill identification Year 12 and Year 13 proofread their writing before handing in to be marked. Focus is on skill identification – use of highlighters to show me where they think they have illustrated a particular skill. WHY? Encourages them to actually read their work! Makes marking easier Identifies those students who don’t know what particular skills actually look like We are now making the literacy symbols part of this routine!

Melanie Breakell Peer proofreading Year 10 RS Students have been using marking symbols to proof read each other’s work prior to handing it in The proof reader uses red pen to distinguish between their marking and mine My experience suggests students are often better at identifying literacy errors in other students’ work than in their own It also helps them to be aware of mistakes they commonly make It has the additional benefit of reducing the time I spend correcting literacy errors when I mark

Abbie Winters Proofreading exam answers Working with GCSE students to answer the 6 mark QWC questions. Students write an answer to the 6 mark question Answer is then modelled on the board as a whole class Students then proofread their answer and pick out the key points that they have missed. Students then re-draft their answer to include the key points before handing in to be marked.

The Literacy Focus in Lessons Please will you… Continue using the new set of marking symbols and refer to them with students; Create opportunities for students to proofread writing tasks using the new marking symbols to identify mistakes. I am mailing out an IWB to support this, but please do adapt and innovate; Begin to pave the way for a culture of redrafting - only their best effort is acceptable!