Edge Hill University is to work with over 50 primary schools in Oxfordshire over the next two years to improve literacy skills.
This new initiative, Every Child Writes, follows on from the success of the Oxfordshire county council’s reading campaign, delivered by Edge Hill University in partnership with the National Literacy Trust. The campaign exceeded targets, with primary schools across the county successfully improving standard of attainment in reading at Key Stage 1.
Now, the council has commissioned Edge Hill University to deliver a new scheme for primary schools. This will focus on children in years three and four (seven to nine year-olds) across Oxfordshire primary schools or academies.
This scheme will focus on writing skills to enhance pupils’ access to and engagement with the wider curriculum, as well as their confidence across subject areas.
Director of intervention support at Edge Hill University, Nick Dowrick, says: “We’re delighted to have been chosen to deliver this scheme, and looking forward to working with Oxfordshire schools again.
“We know just how important writing skills are to children’s development as they progress through the school system, and are excited about this opportunity to help pupils fulfil their potential.”
The council has secured £400,000 from the Schools Forum to fund the project. The programme will run for two years and Edge Hill will begin working with the schools in January 2015, once participating schools have been identified and detailed work schemes have been drawn up.
Edge Hill University’s faculty of education has been at the forefront of teacher education for almost 130 years. Today it enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s major providers of education, training and research for the children’s workforce with a reputation for the highest quality provision, partnership working and delivery.
• Find out more about studying education at Edge Hill
