§ 24. Mr. HeppellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what impact the literacy hour has had on standards of literacy in primary schools. [64064]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe Literacy Hour began in primary schools in September 1998. The vast majority of teachers are teaching the daily hour, which has had a considerable impact on teaching methods and organisation of lessons. Evaluations of the pilot National Literacy Project, published last month by OFSTED and the NFER, confirm that the Literacy Hour is based on teaching methods that will raise standards. Children who started some way below the national average in their reading scores made eight to 12 months progress above what would normally be expected, in less than two years.