FOR the first time ever, pupils at a Derby special school have taken – and passed – a national assessment to check on their progress in phonics; the method used to teach children how to read and spell.
Every year, children in mainstream primary schools in England take part in the assessment which monitors their achievements. However, there is no requirement for special school pupils to sit the exams – which have been postponed for the last two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But staff at St Giles School, in Hampshire Road, have used previous assessment criteria usually reserved for those in mainstream schools to ‘test’ just how much progress has been made – and all 12 pupils who took part, passed with flying colours.
Executive head teacher Clive Lawrence says that it is ‘one of his biggest achievements’ since taking charge in 2014.
He said: “At St Giles School, we have developed a very ambitious curriculum for our pupils, ensuring that we are aspirational for each and every one of them.
“Previously our pupils have sadly either not ‘passed’ this phonics assessment in the mainstream school they attended before joining St Giles, or have sadly never been entered in the first place.
“Over the last three years, we have invested thousands of pounds in staff training and teaching resources, to help our pupils to learn to read. Staff have gone to great lengths to adapt the teaching of reading to support pupils with specific needs.
“And I am absolutely delighted and so proud that all of the pupils who took part in the assessments have passed. This is a fantastic achievement and is the first time ever that pupils from St Giles School have undergone a national assessment and gained a ‘pass’ mark.
“Everyone has worked so hard on learning new sounds during phonics lessons and we have pupils at our school who really enjoy learning to read.
“Our teachers and teaching assistants have, day in, day out, taught inspirational phonics lessons and made them fun and accessible to everyone. Phonics ‘champions’ Lisa Mitchell and Michelle Smith have relentlessly driven up standards in terms of the quality of teaching of reading across the school and our parents and carers have worked in partnership with the school, learning alongside their child at home.
“During lockdown, many parents and carers took on the role of ‘teacher’ and did a fantastic job in maintaining the consistency of teaching phonics at home and should also feel very proud of their achievements, too.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Kerry Ganly on 07734 723951 or email [email protected]
