Case studies

Using Literacy to raise educational achievement

Dr Barry Morrell, Key Stage 3 strategy manger, explains how Stanley School of Technology in Durham has successfully implemented the Literacy across the curriculum Strategy, and describes the benefits to both staff and pupils.

Stanley School of Technology is an 11 - 16 DfES designated Specialist School of 740 students situated in the Northern part of County Durham. Stanley and the surrounding area were formerly dominated by the coal mining industry and the decline in these industries has seriously affected the prosperity of the area. The wards from which Stanley School draws its students are amongst the top 10% most deprived in the country according to the most recent IMD data. The school has over 35% free school meals uptake and the staying on rate is generally low.

How the Literacy across the curriculum Strategy links into our own school’s priorities

Like many schools Stanley is determined to raise the standards of educational achievement amongst its students. Generally the levels of attainment on entry to Stanley School are low; for many years they were the lowest in the county. The 2001 GCSE results were 29% 5 A*-C and rising, and last year the school won one of the Government’s School Achievement Awards. Despite these advances the staff are convinced that we can achieve more with our students and are keen to explore new initiatives. One area that we have identified as a barrier to success is the low levels of literacy exhibited by many of our students.