Literacy

One of our standout initiatives is the SHINE reading project, which has “truthfully transformed lives”.

SHINE Reading Project has “truthfully transformed lives”

County Durham trust’s reading revolution putting research into practice

Our ALP Advantage project, which received a £50,000 grant from SHINE in 2022, focuses on improving reading outcomes through engagement with pupils and parents. This is an ambitious and innovative project which has strengthened collaboration across schools and with external partners including a partnership with local children’s author, Victoria Downes, and forging links with local libraries and our local Waterstones bookshops.

Impact

In its first two years, the project has achieved significant impact. Highlights include:

• On average, pupils’ motivation to read for pleasure and parents’ encouragement of this practice have increased across schools involved in the project.
• At one primary school, “the response from the pupils and parents was staggering; the SHINE project had truthfully transformed their lives”.
• The project has helped another primary school to become the “anchor in the community”.
• SATS and reading test scores improved over the course of the pilot and into the second year of the project.

This project focuses on putting research into practice to improve reading skills and foster a love for reading among students and we are delighted that the project is having such a positive impact on our children and their families.

Further Information

Our Teaching and Learning journals provide in-depth case studies on the implementation and impact of our SHINE project:

ALP Journal Issue 12

ALP Journal Issue 9

Inspiring Innovation through the imaginator!

We are excited to integrate the Olex.AI writing package into our literacy initiatives across all our schools. Olex is an artificial intelligence system that supports the marking and assessment of writing. It is structured in several parts:

• Olex Reader handwriting recognition;
• AI robust and accurate feedback linked to a range of mark schemes and curriculums, e.g. National Curriculum outcomes, Primary Teacher Assessment Frameworks, GCSE mark schemes and specific teacher-generated success criteria;
• AI EAL translation tools;
• AI whole class feedback and next steps planning to support teachers;
• The Imaginator which produces high-quality images and storybooks to drive motivation

This advanced tool includes the Imaginator, which is designed to support creative writing among students. The Imaginator helps students generate ideas, develop storylines, and enhance their writing skills by providing prompts and interactive activities. It encourages students to think creatively and express themselves through writing, making the process enjoyable and engaging.

The Olex.AI writing package also offers personalised feedback and suggestions, helping students improve their writing technique and style. By tailoring the learning experience to each student’s needs, Olex.AI ensures that every student can develop their creative writing abilities and gain confidence in their writing.

Further Information

Find out more by reading our case studies:

ALP Journal Issue 14