In January 2013, the Government announced that secondary schools would receive an additional funding for each year 7 pupil who does not meet the expected standard in reading or maths at Key Stage 2. The expected standard is a scaled score below the expected 100 score (80-99) The money is there to help these pupils catch up in their literacy and numeracy as soon as possible.
In order to identify pupils for catch up provision in year 7, we adopt a graduated approach. We take into consideration the following factors: pupil performance against national data; the KS 2 scaled score in reading and maths; is the pupil already on the SEN register from KS2; were they receiving interventions in KS2; does the pupil have traits of moderate learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
In 2017/2018, our year 7 cohort consists of 15 pupils whose reading ages range from 6.05 to 9.10 years upon entry to the school and 6 pupils who do not meet the required national benchmark for maths.
Pupils who are identified attend twice weekly, small group intervention led by specialist TAs. Their progress is tracked half termly and pupils are moved out of the intervention when they have made more than expected progress.
| What will the money be spent on? | What is the expected impact? |
|---|---|
| Small group literacy and numeracy intervention lessons twice weekly | Increase in pupil reading scores Positive attitude to learning scores in English and Maths Expected or more than expected progress made in English and Maths at each interim data point Close the gap in reading age between catch up and non- catch up children Increase in reading scores, library borrowing, engagement and enjoyment of reading Purchasing of appropriate books for library – AR categorised |
| Benchmark testing to measure the impact of intervention | |
| Addition of an extra English and Maths class | |
| Extra English and Maths lessons – one of each per day | |
| Dedicated TAs in English and Maths classes | |
| Accelerated Reading programme – supporting students through a tailored reading plan based on reading ability and need | |
| Specialist reading programme to promote reading for pleasure | |
| Author visits | |
| Peer reading opportunities |
Case study one: (female year 7) School tested reading age 9.04 on entry to the school in September. Attended literacy catch up from September. Twice weekly, small group intervention. End of Autumn term RA increase 1 yr 9 months to 11.04 years. No longer attends catch up lessons.
Case study two: (female year 7) School tested reading age 7.11 years on entry to the school in September. Attended literacy catch up from September. Twice weekly, small group intervention. End of Autumn term RA increase 1 yr 2 months to 9.04 years. Continues in catch up for the next cycle.
Case study three: (male year 7) School tested reading age 8.03 years on entry to the school in September. Attended literacy catch up from September. Twice weekly, small group intervention. End of Autumn term RA increase 10 months to 9.04 years. Continues in catch up for the next cycle.