Preparing for Literacy

Taking place on 17 May will be a bespoke CPD programme ideal for teachers and leaders of early years and key stage one classes. 

The Preparing for Literacy programme will provide attendees with an introduction and detailed overview of the research evidence and best practice on developing literacy in the early years. They will also gain access to expertise and resources to support them in their career.

The aim of the three-day programme is for attendees to learn more about the most recent evidence about how best to support children and develop communication, language and literacy in the early years.

Participants will be able to review, rethink and plan for sustainable change in order to improve standards. They will also understand the features of effective implementation and change in this particular area of education.

This unique programme has been carefully designed by Megan Dixon and Andrea Vaughan. Megan and Andrea will be leading the course and together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. 

Megan boasts school leadership, school improvement and policy experience, including working for the Education Endowment Foundation, as a MAT executive leader, as a Local Authority English consultant, as a headteacher, teacher trainer and a teacher. 

Her specialist interests lie in the teaching and learning of literacy (in particular reading comprehension), special educational needs, language development and leadership. 

Andrea is an independent education consultant and trainer with extensive experience of early years. Over the last 25 years, Andrea has been part of the team at the outstanding Everton Nursery School and Family Centre in Liverpool. As a senior leader, she has led a provision that significantly improved outcomes for children, such as in physical development, literacy and communication and language. 

In addition, Andrea provides high-quality training for staff and leaders working in the early years in schools and nurseries locally and nationally. In 2021, she helped the Department for Education (DfE) to train practitioners across England about the revised EYFS. 

The programme takes place over three consecutive months at Everton Nursery School and Family Centre in Liverpool. The first day begins on 17 May, day 2 falls on 28 June and day 3 will be on 5 July. It has been created this way in order to leave sufficient time for observations and tasks to be completed correctly. It also means that the time away from your role doesn’t impact your colleagues or own workload too much.

Here is how each day will look:

Day 1	Introduction and overview of the Preparing for Literacy guidance reportIntroduction to effective implementation – what is the process and what tools can we use?Preparing to explore – asking questions	IntroductionsOverview of the evidenceDeep dive into the evidenceWhat does the evidence say about language and communication (recommendation 1) and reading (recommendation 2)Preparing to explore practice in our own settings	Lead staff meeting to share learningSelf-assessment audit
Day 2	Learning from each otherExploring the evidence for writing, self-regulation and supporting parents.Preparing to explore -– asking questions	Reflecting on the process so far – what have we learnt?Deep dive into the evidence for recommendations 3,4 and 5.Preparing to explore practice in our own settings	Share learning with colleagues in school Completing audit
Day 3	Learning from each otherExploring the evidence for diagnostic assessment and using interventionPreparing to for action	Reflecting on the process so far – what have we learnt?Deep dive into the evidence for recommendations 6 and 7 Preparing for change – using a logic model, considering effective strategies for leading and monitoring and evaluating implementation	Share learning with colleagues in school Evaluating interventions and impactMoving forward to develop practice

Spaces on the programme are already filling up fast and you must sign up by Monday 9 May. The cost for the programme is £300 per person. To sign up, please register here.

If you have any questions at all, please contact the team at Inspire Learning Teaching School Hub on 0151 677 6262 (option 1) or email: enquires@inspirelearningtsh.co.uk.