In Session 1996-97 the school implemented a reading recovery programme in S1, targeting the poorest readers. These pupils are now in S4 and Sheona Hall, PT LSSN is convinced that the scheme has been worthwhile. Members of the English Department assist the scheme and find that it has increased their expertise in working with poor readers. The department also uses an Individualised Learning Scheme to improve pupils' skills in spelling and maths. Teachers from the Maths department are delivering the programme within the LSSN department.
Pupils work through the computer package which provides individual work and instant feedback.
Pupil targets are set and progress recorded in graph form. As with English, members of the Maths Department feel that they benefit from their involvement in the programme by acquiring additional expertise in working with pupils who need support in specific areas of the Maths Curriculum. A strategic group of key staff and business personnel was set up to devise a progressive S1-S6 programme. Key to this initiative was a determination not to seek funding but to work in genuine partnership with the Business Community to enhance student core skills and to devise opportunities for the students to demonstrate the practical relevance of subject learning. Some 40 companies now work with staff and students to provide quality experiences back in the classroom.