West Somerset Research School at The Blue School, Wells, Newsletter

Issue #3

Summer term

NEW GUIDANCE ON PREPARING FOR LITERACY

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has published its latest guidance report, Preparing for Literacy, which reviews the best available research to offer early years professionals practical “do’s and don’ts” to make sure all children start school with the foundations they need to read and write well.

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FACTFULNESS AND OUR BRILLIANT SCHOOLS

Mark Woodlock, Headteacher at The Blue School in Wells, reflects on the concept of Factfulness: the stress-reducing habit of only carrying opinions for which you have strong supporting facts.

"I am not aware of any research into the activities of teachers during the summer break. Whilst travel and rest are high up on the agenda, my suspicion is that we consume more books during that period than almost any other time of the year. I have one book on my shelf that is ready for that purpose, Factfulness by Hans Rosling.  I have yet to do more than scan through it, but the premise of the book is intriguing."

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IEE FUNDS A FURTHER FIVE INNOVATION EVALUATIONS AIMED AT IMPROVING PUPIL ACHIEVEMENT

The Institute for Effective Education (IEE) is pleased to announce the five projects chosen to receive Research Schools Network Innovation Evaluation Grants from the fourth round of funding, which took place in the spring. This brings the total number of innovation evaluation projects currently funded to 21.

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EEF PROJECTS NOW RECRUITING

The Education Endowment Foundation is currently recruiting early years settings, schools and colleges for funded projects including:

1. Young Journalist Academy: Developing primary pupils' writing by setting up a newsroom.
2. EAL in the mainstream classroom: Developing and testing EAL training for classroom teachers at GCSE.
3. Realistic Maths Education: An approach to teaching mathematical problem solving.

Visit the EEF website to view all projects currently recruiting

£5M HOME LEARNING FUND

The Early Years Home Learning round – funded in partnership with the Department for Education – is now open for applications.

The purpose of the fund is to trial projects in the north of England that support parents to improve their children's early language and literacy skills at home before they start school.

Applicants should visit the EEF website and look at some of the promising programmes previously funded, as well as the frequently asked questions, which can be found here.

BLOG: IMPROVING COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY IN THE EARLY YEARS

Eileen Allpress, Director of Ipswich Research School, introduces the EEF's Preparing for Literacy guidance report and explains how this evidence is brought to life at Highfield Nursery School and Children’s Centre.

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EEF BLOG: SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF

On the EEF blog, Megan Dixon, Director of Aspirer Research School, introduces the EEF’s early literacy guidance report and explains how the small stuff can make the biggest difference when it comes to learning to read and write.

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'LEADING LITERACY' - EARLY YEARS TRAINING PROGRAMME

We’re very excited to be working with West Somerset schools to develop a Leading Literacy programme for next academic year. All West Somerset EYFS settings (nurseries, pre-schools, school Reception classes) are welcome to contribute to the design of the programme and invited to attend. The aim is to design a 3-5 day programme with a mixture of face-to-face days, inter-setting visits, twilight sessions, audits, action plans and local exemplification of good practice.

Do get in touch if you'd like to find out more.

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