Michelle Stewart – Development Officer Setting the Scene: South Lanarkshire’s approach to addressing dyslexia within the context of an overall literacy strategy Good afternoon, thank you to *** for the Introduction. I am deputising for my line manager, Janey Mauchline QIO whose remit includes Literacy and Languages. I hope to provide you with some insight into how South Lanarkshire strives to support dyslexia by providing the context of our Literacy Strategy, and my colleague Mairi will go into more detail and the specifics of how we address dyslexia within that context. Michelle Stewart – Development Officer

(James Robertson, October 2012, SLC Literacy Strategy Launch) Lack of literacy has nothing to do with lack of intelligence. Was General Custer smarter than Sitting Bull? I don’t think so. But all too often people who struggle with literacy are written off. Lack of literacy does mean, in the 21st century world, and specifically here in Scotland, that you are more likely to be socially, economically and culturally disadvantaged, excluded and disregarded. Which is why it is so good to see South Lanarkshire taking the issue seriously and rising to the challenge – and let’s not pretend that this is going to be easy – of working to minimise and perhaps one day even to eliminate those negative consequences. (James Robertson, October 2012, SLC Literacy Strategy Launch) The quotation you see behind me is from one of the keynote speakers of our Literacy Strategy Launch back in October 2012, and is from one of Scotland’s leading writers, James Robertson. I think it really highlights that we all have a role and responsibility for ensuring, as far as we can, that our young people do not fall into these negative consequences of poor literacy. Possessing good literacy skills is the key that unlocks the world to our young people, and we must do all we can to remove as many barriers as possible to ensure that metaphorical door is open.

So…how are we going to do that? Produce a literacy strategy A high level group of practitioners from all sectors, Educational Psychology, Inclusion Services and Youth Learning collaborated over the course of two school sessions to create the SLC Literacy Strategy. This documents was launched in October 2012 and was received very positively. The key aims of the strategy are to support establishments across the authority to improve literacy levels in their schools, and it sets the context for ensuring all young people experience a curriculum which is rich in good literacy experiences and opportunities, promoting partnership with parents and other agencies to maximise knowledge and resources and support the provision of early intervention for literacy difficulties. The document includes key information for schools and every adult swithin them and beyond can support literacy development and enhancement. Add Supp Needs are explicitly covered within the strategy too, and the need for all staff to be aware of what dyslexia is and how best they can support it is addressed. It is all very well producing a document, but it is what you do with it that counts!

Implement a literacy strategy What now? Implement a literacy strategy The next logical step was to implement the strategy. This is the stage we are currently at. Again, a high level group was created, with some of the original contributors to the Strategy still members (to maintain institutional memory) to work together and look at the best ways of driving the strategy forward. We have, as a group, devised short, medium and long term targets that we are working towards achieving, some of which are outlined on the next slide.

Implementing the Literacy Strategy Include suggestions in the 2013/14 Improvement Planning Guidance for Establishments Produce a Briefing Note for Heads of Establishment for Session 2013/14 Advise schools to identify a Literacy Co-ordinator Provide advice and support for Literacy Co-ordinators Build on the effective practice in South Lanarkshire Council We are building on the momentum of the launch, and have had our EMT fully support our drive to raise the profile of literacy. We have provided specific support to HTS with regard to School Improvement Planning around literacy, and are looking at ways to support nominated Literacy Coordinators in a whole range of ways, as it is envisaged that they will become the port of literacy communication when engaging with schools.

Implementing the Literacy Strategy Find a manageable and effective way to gather and share practice, and use technologies to enhance literacy skills Produce ‘A Child’s Journey through Literacy’ Publish termly Literacy Briefing Papers Provide an effective programme of CPD Provide CPD for Probationer teachers in SLC Plan a Literacy Showcase for Session 2014/15 The central group are working in sub-groups in the following areas. We are looking at ways to share practice and embrace technologies that really promote and extend literacy, for example, our Primary Literacy Professional Network is piloting the use of iPads minis to enhance literacy schools in the primary classroom. “A Child’s Journey…” began as a series of posters, and is looking more like an online tool for staff, parents and pupils to access. It is envisaged that the tool will enable a young person to realise and identify a learning difficulty they have, and then the tool will direct them to a range of resources, websites and / or people who can support them to improve their skills and remove any barriers to learning they may have. For example… series of arrows – if I am 12 and have trouble with my spelling, here’s who I can go to and what I can do to help myself. LBP: is issued to all establishments across the authority, and highlights successes in literacy, effective practice, forthcoming national and local events, CPD opps for staff and much more. We also highlight links with local libraries and organisations such as the Scottish Book Trust. Devising a range of CPD, not just for experienced staff but for newly qualified teachers, too. Teachers are the most powerful tool we possess, and we must empower them to support our young people through career long learning. Finally, we hope to showcase the tremendous amount of work that is taking place to support our young people at a central showcase in session 2014/15.

Thank you! michelle.stewart2@southlanarkshire.gov.uk As you can see, it is a very busy and exciting time within South Lanarlshire, but it is also important to note that schools are all at different stages with regard to literacy development. We all have that common goal of improving literacy levels for all our young people and that will continue to drive us forward. Thanks for listening and I’ll now pass you over the my colleague Mairi for a closer look at addressing dyslexia within this context.