The government's literacy hour, designed to improve reading and writing in primary schools, is said to be failing some of the pupils it is most meant to help. A survey carried out for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers claims that less able pupils are not benefiting from the hour in the school day dedicated specifically to improving reading and writing skills. There were also mixed responses about teachers' confidence in their own ability to teach the literacy hour. The survey, conducted for the union by the Opinion Research Business, also found that teachers felt over-burdened by the extra administration that the literacy hour had created. In publishing the survey the ATL reiterates earlier findings that teachers are spending their own money to buy books and other resources.
Ministers say the literacy hour is fully funded.
Our survey shows it is not. What jumps off the pages of the research is the concern of those who teach children with special needs. The literacy hour must be made to work for those who need it most. There is an equal question about whether above-average children are being stretched enough. Mr Smith said the weaknesses revealed in the survey could provide warnings for the introduction of a national numeracy strategy in September.