Accessing and implementing the renewed Primary Framework

This electronic Framework provides a resource that will be added to and expanded with additional support and material as the Framework project develops over the coming year. This will include any necessary revisions to the Early Years elements following the EYFS consultation.

Local Authorities are supporting schools and settings with the effective implementation of the Framework for literacy and mathematics through briefings for headteachers, specific training programmes for school staff with responsibility for leading improvements in literacy and mathematics, and through specific support on the teaching of early reading and implementing the recommendations of the Rose Report. This support has already started and will be further developed across the 2006-07 academic year. The introduction of the EYFS will similarly be supported with support and training.

Action for schools and settings

In beginning to implement the renewed Framework, schools and settings are recommended to:

• Review their current work in communication, language, literacy and mathematics; check their data in these areas; identify priorities in each area; address major weaknesses and then revise their implementation as they go, maintaining the focus upon using the Framework to help raise achievement and improve standards.
• Become familiar with the navigation and guidance offered by this electronic Framework.
• Use elements of the renewed Framework, including material and planning units that reflect the priorities arising from the review
• Incorporate the outcomes of the considered and searching reviews of the effectiveness of their current work in communication, language, literacy, and in mathematics (or problem solving, reasoning and numeracy, as mathematical development will be called within the EYFS) into improvement planning with an appropriately paced implementation of the renewed Framework to tackle the issues that have arisen.
• Set out a calendar to tackle the issues highlighted.

In general, the vast majority of schools and settings are likely to be making extensive use of the renewed Framework at some stage during this academic year. The Framework is designed to support teachers and practitioners in raising achievement and there is, therefore, an urgency in ensuring that teachers and practitioners are fully confident in its use and that implementation is secure. The renewed Framework for literacy and mathematics forms a significant development which builds upon the learning and development that has taken place since the original Framework for teaching literacy and mathematics were introduced in 1998 and 1999. Although there are good ideas and structures within the original Framework, the renewal marks an important step and brings new impetus and new structures that are a significant development rather than a repackaging of guidance that is already in place. Changes in the structure and content of objectives, learning and core guidance are significant and schools and settings are encouraged to understand the changes and to move towards implementation of the renewed Framework for literacy and mathematics rather than to rely upon the original Frameworks. Although there are links with the original Framework for teaching literacy and mathematics on this electronic version of the renewed Framework, these links are to help with the smooth transition for schools using one system as they move towards another.