North Ayrshire Building Bridges case study
PDF file: North Ayrshire Building Bridges case studyAuchenharvie Academy and Ardeer Primary School
The Auchenharvie and associated primaries cluster is located in an area which has one of the highest rates of unemployment in Scotland.
Underlying general concerns about underachievement in literacy were confirmed by audit. Reading and writing were problematic in the primary and reading attainment was a specific concern across the curriculum in the secondary. The resultant focus would therefore be the development of strategies to promote engagement in and a sense of personal responsibility for reading. Involved staff in the secondary included members of the English, art, science, social subjects and support for learning departments and the librarian. P6 and P7 teachers were supported by the Literacy Coordinator.
‘Accelerated Reader’ was purchased for S1 and murals were created based on lines from famous books and poems. Author visits were arranged and the English department purchased a range of new texts.
Overall, the impact of ‘Accelerated Reader’ was significant, with book borrowing almost doubling. Pupil questionnaires revealed the programme had been positively received and that the profile of reading within the cluster had been raised considerably.
Staff felt encouraged to move on to next stages, where opportunities would arise to refine work undertaken. Good practice has been shared within the authority and future plans include initiatives to involve parents with reading and the production of a CD incorporating findings.