West Dunbartonshire Building Bridges case study
PDF file: West Dunbartonshire Building Bridges case studyVale of Leven Academy and Ladyton, Christie Park and Haldane Primary schools
Learning about and sharing joint approaches to raising attainment in functional writing across the sectors and monitoring progress between P7 and S1 was the motivation for this study.
Focusing on a group of eight pupils (four boys and four girls) across the ability range, the approach to writing was genre-led with an established and agreed methodology.
Lessons began with a clear statement of purpose, a provided model for writing and a definitive writing plan. Each written piece was reviewed and edited.
At the outset, baseline measures were derived from a piece of unsupported writing and compared with one piece of writing on completion of the study. Additional data was derived from pupil questionnaires.
On completion of the project, gains by the less able were highest and increased motivation of boys was noted.
Next steps are to improve report writing and self-assessment techniques and to continue to work innovatively with the science department.