Partnership For Literacy

Partnership for Literacy is a unique whole school initiative that uses the specialist knowledge of Dyslexia Action’s teachers to develop a sustainable model of support for children who have literacy difficulties. It was designed to leave expertise and knowledge with the school leadership, teachers and teaching assistants, ensuring that not just those children involved in the programme benefit, but also those in generations to come.

Read the full DyslexiaAction P4L Report 2009.pdf

Speaking at the parliamentary launch the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, described the programme as ‘trail blazing’.

Jo Fiddes, the Headteacher of Five Lanes Primary School in Leeds, speaking passionately at the launch event described how one of her pupils, Thomas, had told her what P4L meant to him: “I used to think I couldn’t do ‘owt’, but now I know I can.”

Ellie Brown, a teacher from St Saviour’s in London, who also spoke at the launch commented: “We noticed real progress with the pupils involved.”

P4L continues to demonstrate best practise by incorporating whole-school awareness, family learning and apprentice-style training in each partnered school. During 2008/09 we partnered with a further 14 primary schools, taking the total partnerships from January 2006 up to 35.

Liam (8), from St Teresa’s Catholic Junior at the end of an hour’s session: "Can we stay longer?”

Jenny Ehrlinger, a Chapel en le Frith Primary teacher: "When you see the confidence it gives them you want to shout from the rafters that they all need more of this."

Jan Keating, SENCo at New Haw Community Junior: “I have been a SENCo for 20 years, and year on year I have seen a lot of interventions that do not necessarily show any significant benefits. With P4L I love that those at risk of literacy failure are identified straight away and that we can get on with helping the children rather than waiting to see what happens!”