Northside Primary School in Workington has achieved a remarkable improvement in reading standards.
The school is working with a pioneering education project aimed at raising standards in West Cumbrian schools, called Western Excellence in Learning and Leadership (WELL), which has been central to the turnaround.
WELL is funded by Sellafield Ltd as part of its Social Impact Multiplied (SiX) programme, and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
Many families face challenges with regard to income, employment, health and disability; 42% of pupils have Special Educational Needs, with 62% Pupil Premium.
Northside identified a need for a more effective way of teaching phonics to improve reading levels. Through discussions with other schools at sessions organised by the WELL project, they chose the Read Write Inc programme.
At the outset, some pupils in Key Stage 1 had significant challenges with reading. This meant a bespoke programme needed to be created for Northside, which was funded by the WELL project and implemented based on WELL school improvement training.
Mandy Hyland is the school’s SENCO and Reading Leader. “Read Write Inc has made a massive difference,” she said. “It’s not only provided us with a phonics scheme that’s well structured, it’s given us the resources and support network we need to make sure we are getting the most out of it.”
The school has access to online training resources and videos, and is supported by Read Write Inc’s local adviser, who comes into the school each term.
Northside’s Headteacher, Vicky McDowell, said: “Staff are so determined in their delivery of Read Write Inc; there is a tangible feeling of excitement and pride for them to see how much progress their group has made at each assessment point.”
WELL funding and guidance on good implementation has enabled the school to also offer phonics sessions to parents and carers at a regular Parent Cafe, where free refreshments are served.
The school has bought a book bag for every child to encourage reading at home.
The improvement in standards has been dramatic. In 2022-23, 75% of Pupil Premium children passed their Year 1 Phonics screening check, a huge rise from 22% in 2021-22.
Supported by WELL, Northside has also introduced many other measures to improve literacy. Children read once a week to volunteers from Sellafield and other corporate partners.
“Without the WELL, many of these children would not be at a stage where they can read to people,” Mrs McDowell said. “The improvement has been absolutely huge.”
