The Sounds~Write™ course was introduced in Salford in June 2003. As an authority the decision was taken to use some ‘Wave 3’ funding to train teachers and teaching assistants who worked in Year 3 classrooms. The initial group of trainees involved a head teacher, a deputy head teacher, Year 3 teachers, teaching assistants and literacy consultants. John Walker and Susan Case delivered a well-paced, brisk and challenging introduction to the programme, which immediately engaged all the course participants. As the week progressed enthusiasm for the programme of teaching grew. Even though the programme was delivered in the final week of the summer term, by the final day everyone was eager to return to school to try out their new found skills.
Since this initial course a large number of teachers and teaching assistants from both primary and secondary schools have received training. Evaluations of the courses are always positive and comment on the improved knowledge of the teaching of reading. Results in the schools where Sounds~Write has been implemented well show very good improvement. They include pupils in Year 3 who have improved their reading age by two years. In one school a pupil who achieved Level 2C in reading at the end of Year 2 has achieved Level 3A by the end of Year 3. Where schools have taken the decision to implement the programme through both key stages, results are also good. Similar improvements are also being seen in both writing and spelling. From the evidence in Salford schools, I have no doubt that Sounds-Write is effective in improving results in reading and I can full endorse the programme.
Paul Ford
School Improvement Officer – Salford
Item Filed: 22/05/2006