Scoil Mhuire Muineachán

School Self-Evaluation - Literacy 

St.Mary's conducted school self-evaluation in literacy during the 2012/13 and 2013/14 school years, this report was presented to the Board of Management in June 2014. Staff, pupils and parents were surveyed, focus groups were held and standardised tests were analysed. The following is a summary of this report.

Strengths:

Teachers' Practice

1. There are strong positive staff relationships and collegiality. Dedicated, talented and enthusiastic teachers work collaboratively with support staff for the benefit of all pupils.

2. A strong knowledge base has been developed in the areas of Learning Support / Resource Teaching and Special Class Teaching.

3. Previous inspection reports commented favourably on the standards of literacy in general in the school. It was also observed that good discipline and work ethic was evident.

Learning Experience

1. The school is well resourced for literacy and has built up a solid bank of teaching materials aimed at improving literacy including reading cards, comprehension materials and second reading schemes. Each classroom has an extensive library. ICT is used effectively, interactive whiteboards are used in all learning spaces, a pupil learning portal is in development.

2. Each teacher aims to provide a print rich learning environment.

3. There is good support for children with learning difficulties.

4. Regular access to local facilities such as Monaghan Branch Library and Monaghan Museum enriches pupils' learning experience.

Learner Outcomes

1. There is an expectation of excellent standards of work and behaviour from all pupils.

2. All new entrants are screened to evaluate their learning needs.

3. Standardised Test Results and pupil profiles (including self-penned) are used to define differentiated work for individual pupils.

Priorities for improvement: Literacy

1. To continue to aim for all pupils to maintain / improve their Standardised Test scores and to continue to track the progress of individual pupils.

2. To motivate and inspire reluctant readers to become habitual and confident readers.

3. To ensure all assigned pupil reading at home is monitored by parents by the use of Reading Records/ homework journal.

Required Actions:

1. The introduction of a 'power hour' a Literacy Hour - pupils in each class to be grouped to cover four different aspects of literacy through the station teaching model or similar.

2. To develop greater pupil interest in reading - Ten minutes of 'free reading time' to be held daily in all classes.

3. Pupils to keep a scrapbook of written work as they move through the school to show continuity and change over time (to begin with current 2nd Class).

4. All pupils (2nd - 6th) will use a free writing copy in addition to their creative writing copy to help them further develop their creative writing skills.

5. Parents will be encouraged to read to their children / with their children at home.

6. School events such as a Reading Month, World Book Day,Writing Festival etc. will be used to promote literacy.