Orkney Building Bridges case study
PDF file: Orkney Islands Building Bridges case studyKirkwall Grammar and Papdale Primary School
The two schools are in close proximity to each other and have a combined roll of close on 1500 pupils. Papdale, with a roll of 500+ is the largest associated primary. This joint research venture would help build closer liaison and assist further development in future years.
From the outset, shared approaches to the teaching of purpose in functional writing were emphasised and pupils were made familiar with success criteria in writing. Lesson aims and outcomes were provided and children were encouraged to place purpose and audience at the heart of their writing. A wall display exemplified the six genres and in the primary children were expected to apply this framework to all of their non-fiction writing. Writing buddies helped develop ideas in confidence and peer assessment techniques were regularly practised. Technical accuracy in writing was addressed through a 'secretarial check'.
The secondary school had established a 'Functional Writing Group' to look at literacy issues. Available evidence suggested that existing approaches in English could be developed into other subject areas where organisational and presentational skills were lacking. The production of a 'Developing Functional Writing Pack' for school wide use which would incorporate the framework developed in the primary writing programme would be the aim. That pack has now been piloted and evaluated.
Sanday Junior High joined the project late on with plans to develop a common approach to reading and to establish an effective system for the transfer of information P7/S1.
Professional relationships have been established, 'critical friendships' made, effective practice shared and bridges built which will stand long into the future.