Building Bridges case studies
Building Bridges in Literacy P6-S2 was a national pilot project managed by Learning and Teaching Scotland, funded by the Scottish Executive Education Department. The aim of the pilot was to raise attainment in reading and writing, whilst encouraging and developing effective curricular liaison between teachers, schools and different sectors.
All local authorities were invited to nominate a secondary school and an associated primary to participate in the project. This is where the Building Bridges project really came to life! The projects explored ways that have been tried and tested by teachers, to develop effective curricular liaison, and to ensure that courses were developed evenly within and across the stages. Each local authority project was unique. Each was underpinned by different needs and had a different starting point. Each achieved a different outcome but with the common aim of raising achievement and attainment in literacy.
The project ran from June 2003 to Easter 2005 and in the course of these two years, discussion of research, exploration of literacy skills, methodologies and innovative practice were given the opportunity to flourish.
Full case studies are available to download or read online.
| Local Authority | Key issues for project | Participating Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Creative writing and poetry | Bankhead Academy and Stonewood Primary School |
| Aberdeenshire | Reading detectives | Kemnay Academy and Alehousewells Primary |
| Angus | Reading/writing and the use of non-fiction | Carnoustie High School and Kinloch Primary School |
| Argyll and Bute | Functional writing skills Reading attainment and writer's craft | Oban High School and Rockfield Primary School Campbeltown Grammar, Drumlemble and Dalintober Primary schools |
| Clackmannanshire | Functional writing across the curriculum | Alloa Academy and 5 associated primaries |
| Dumfries and Galloway | Improving functional writing | North West Dumfries Literacy Project |
| Dundee | Writing across the curriculum and Reading Together programme | Craigie High School and Mossgiel Primary |
| East Ayrshire | Writing across the curriculum | Auchinleck Academy and Catrine Primary School |
| East Dunbartonshire | Talking and listening/cross-curricular working | Lenzie Academy and Lairdsland, Lenzie Moss, Lenzie and Millersneuk Primaries |
| East Lothian | Formative assessment/attainment in reading | Musselborough Grammar and Pinkie St. Peter's Primary School |
| East Renfrewshire | Attainment in writing/functional writing | St. Ninian's High School and Our Lady of the Missions Primary |
| Edinburgh | Writing and reading programmes in P6-S2 | Wester Hailes Education Centre |
| Falkirk | Raising attainment and achievement in transactional writing | St Margaret's, Laurieston, Westquarter, Hallglen and Victoria primary schools and Graeme High School |
| Fife | Writer's craft and poetry | Glenrothes High School and South Parks Primary |
| Glasgow | Writing/formative assessment/focus on boys Informative writing/production of information leaflet | St. Mungo's Academy and Sacred Heart Primary Hillpark Secondary and Tinto Primary |
| Highland | Reading for information/reciprocal teaching Parents and pupils reading project | Inverness High School and Merkinch and Dalneigh Primary Schools Invergordon Academy and Milton Primary School |
| Inverclyde | Report writing/teaching strategies | Greenock High School and Wemyss Bay Primary |
| Midlothian | Functional writing/formative assessment | Newbattle High School and Mayfield, Stobhill and Gorebridge Primary Schools |
| Moray | Reading/interactive teaching | Speyside High School and associated schools |
| North Ayrshire | Creating a reading culture | Auchenharvie Academy and Ardeer Primary School |
| North Lanarkshire | Functional writing | Cardinal Newman High School and five associated primaries |
| Orkney Islands | Functional writing/writing buddies | Kirkwall Grammar and Papdale Primary School |
| Perth and Kinross | Writing attainment/extended writing Functional writing | Kinross High School and Kinross Primary School Perth Grammar School and North Muirton Primary School |
| Renfrewshire | Talking and writing/critical skills | Renfrew High School and Arkleston Primary School |
| Scottish Borders | Literacy in transition linked with science | Galashiels Academy and Balmoral Primary School |
| Shetland Islands | Personal and private reading | Anderson High School and Bell's Brae Primary School |
| South Ayrshire | Functional writing across the curriculum | Girvan Academy and three associated primaries |
| South Lanarkshire | Writing: gender, motivation, behaviour | Trinity High School and St.Columbkille's Primary School |
| Stirling | Functional writing | Wallace High School and Raploch Primary School |
| West Dunbartonshire | Functional writing | Vale of Leven Academy and Ladyton, Christie Park and Haldane Primary schools |
| Western Isles | Functional writing/Focus on boys/Formative assessment | Berneray School, Carinish School, Lochmaddy School and Paible School |
| West Lothian | Reading attainment/engaging boys | St. Kentigern's High School and St. Mary's and St. Anthony's Primaries |