The basics

The National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies have been developed to help teachers deliver these two crucial areas of the curriculum. They are not compulsory, but most primary schools in England deliver daily literacy hours and numeracy lessons.

Both strategies lay out term-by-term exactly what should be taught. They include a range of objectives (targets). The strategies also provide teachers with ideas for activities, learning games and teaching styles to help all children learn and succeed.

Jargon you may hear

These two strategies have given rise to much of the 'educational jargon' your children may use when telling you about school. Whole-class teaching is often delivered using an overhead projector (OHP). Numeracy lessons begin with skill practice that is not written down, known as oral and mental starter activities.

In literacy lessons, letter sounds are known as phonemes. Reading may be shared, guided or independent. All lessons end with plenaries, when the class will sum up what they have studied and learnt during the lesson. You may also hear about lesson objectives, which outline exactly what is to be taught, and hopefully learnt, during a session.

Literacy and numeracy at secondary school

There are literacy and numeracy strategies for children at Key Stage 3, too. Again, they are not compulsory, but many schools now use them to support children's learning. Using the familiar lesson structure and techniques can help children to build more quickly on their skills from primary school.

Teachers work to reinforce literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum. For example, calculation skills might be explained and used in a science lesson. A history teacher might help children to plan their writing and to choose powerful words when working on a project. English and maths remain compulsory until the end of Key Stage 4.

Although the National Curriculum stops at the end of Key Stage 4 (age 16), there are also guidelines for Years 12 and 13 (ages 16-19), traditionally known as the sixth form. Students choose the subjects they wish to study but will also continue to build on their communication, numeracy and ICT abilities.

Based on an article by Judith Puddick

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