Literacy Strategy – 2012
Issues identified during self-assessment:
Staff training needed to: raise awareness of scope of essential skills deficit introduce key documents such as Essential Skills Standards guide staff towards resources and diagnostic testing for self-improvement introduce a cross-curricular literacy strategy.
Action taken: 40 members of teaching staff have either already attended or booked to attend
training QCF unit ‘Essential Skills Awareness’ sourced to accredit training at Level 2 Enthusiastic participation of staff during training has led to improved practice and
increased awareness of learner need Future training on embedding essential skills planned for further staff development
Courses of more than five hours need screening to: identify students with particular essential skills needs target study skills in relation to course content target writing according to purpose and audience increase awareness of skills in proof-reading, spelling, punctuation and grammar support tutors in developing supportive strategies
Action taken: all candidates on Introduction to Childcare, Level 2 QCF, Level 3 QCF have been
screened new QCF units in Study Skills for Level 2 award sourced and SOW in development follow up skills workshops planned as pre-teaching for each new unit to encompass
skills outlined above individual learners signposted to RTL courses tutors will observe/shadow teach workshops to develop practitioner skills
Cross-curricular approach to developing essential skills required to: standardise marking of learner portfolios support all learners to improve essential skills reduce barriers to learning provide opportunities for non-subject specialists to sign-post learners towards
appropriate provision
Action taken:
marking code introduced for standardised marking procedure new strategies introduced to staff including language modelling; use of subject specific
glossaries for spelling and definitions; spelling tips and strategies and Dolch word list for high frequency word errors
staff training has raised awareness of barriers to learning and strategies for differentiation to support essential skills weaknesses
new documentation introduced for referral system via ACL Learner Support or Essential Skills Coordinator for class visit or 1:1 consultations
Improved support for learners with Additional Learning Needs, Physical Disabilities and Mental Illness to:
target classroom support appropriately identify learners in need of additional support provide information about legislation with regard to the issues outlined above signpost learners to specialised testing for Additional Learning Difficulties
Action taken: recruitment of staff in process to provide classroom support referral system explained to staff and action already taken by several members of staff
to signpost learners and request additional support google docs used to share ‘Access For All’ documents and a learner friendly resource
entitled ‘Equality Act 2010’ which explains the protected characteristics pre-assessment tool identified for screening for dyslexia prior to specialised
assessment via the College
Improved networking between curriculum areas; learning teams; outside agencies and the college to:
share procedures for standardised assessment develop an embedded approach share resources, strategies and ideas and ensure progression support learners who are difficult to reach
Action taken: links fostered with Learn Direct and research underway to implement online testing via
‘My Skills’ workshops planned with childcare team to share teaching resources and strategies as
well as joint writing of SOW for 2013 to embed essential skills google docs used to share resources and information between Childcare Team,
Essential Skills Team, Better Reading Team and Family Learning Team links fostered with Coastal, Genesis, MIND and Hafal Cymru to signpost learners to
appropriate provision as well as delivering classes within outreach centres to support disadvantaged learners
Need to utilise technology to full advantage to:
share good practice share teaching strategies share resources for learning create more efficient working practices, particularly in light of the number of staff
working across a wide geographical area: capitalise on investments made in technology such as iPads
Action taken: various documents relating to good practice in embedding learning; differentiation and
utilising technology shared via goggle docs tutors sharing strategies independently resources independently and granting
permission for colleagues to view their SOW and lesson plans all tutors now have a gmail account to enable them to communicate, share and edit
documents collaboratively regardless of geographical location– specific training has been provided with regard to this
research in hand to source and appraise iPad apps for supporting essential skills development, utilise cross-curricular approach and improve teaching and learning across the curriculum, tutors providing feedback on tried and tested apps
Need to contribute to the development of essential skills by: networking with other members of the Essential Skills sector promoting and sharing good practice amongst colleagues within the sector facilitating efficient dissemination of information concerning essential skills at all levels
of the organisation advising on government initiatives that relate to the sector
Action taken: vice chair of the Basic Skills Panel Wales to provide a voice for the organisation, our
learners and the sector as a whole good practice embraced during development of cross-curricular Literacy Strategy as
well as input into a recent consultation on screening and assessment tolls used within the Health Care Sector
minutes of BSPW meetings shared at management level and with colleagues teaching Essential Skills, relevant information disseminated to all tutors
feedback given on plans for All Wales Initial Assessment Tool as well as review of Essential Skills Qualifications currently under consultation
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