Staff meeting: why, what and how?

Why focus on speaking and listening?

Because it’s good practice... “A common feature of the most successful schools in the survey was the attention they gave to developing speaking and listening.” (Ofsted, Removing Barriers to Literacy, 2010) “In the most effective schools visited, inspectors saw teachers thread rich opportunities for speaking and listening into lessons. In turn, this led to improved standards in writing.” (Ofsted Annual report, 2009/2010)

…because language is the vehicle for learning… literacy behaviour friends Link to self-regulation -- Self-awareness, self-control – being able to name emotions helps to manage them Communication is the foundation life skill. It affects our ability to learn, form relationships and make friends. thinking learning

...and because it impacts on many skills. Justify Reason Speculate and imagine Receive, act and build on answers Explain Predict Analyse Solve problems Explore and evaluate Narrate Negotiate Discuss Instruct Understand Question...in different ways Argue

True or false Speaking and listening skills are often taught the least in schools. How do we compare to the table below? Listening Speaking Reading Writing Learned first second third Used most next to most next to least least Taught Research suggests that listening is the skill we learn first, as babies and young children, and use most throughout our lives. Speaking is the next skill we learn, and use next most often throughout our lives. Reading and writing are learned later and, though very important, are used much less than listening and speaking. Yet some people say that in schools we teach reading and writing most and listening and speaking least. Do you think that is true for the children you teach?

...and is this true in our school? ‘...recent research shows that the average length of a pupil’s contribution to a class discussion is just four words’ (National Literacy Trust, 2011)

Nationally large numbers of children struggle with speech, language and communication... What do staff see as the numbers/issues for the children they teach? SLCN = speech, language and communication needs

...which has an impact for life. Behaviour/vulnerability Mental health Educational achievement 40% of 7 to 14 year olds referred to child psychiatric services had a language impairment that had never been identified 2/3 of 7-14 year olds with serious behaviour problems have language impairment Vocabulary at 5 is a powerful predictor of GCSE achievement Disadvantage Cycle Criminality Employability Children from low income families lag behind high income counterparts by sixteen months in vocabulary at school entry 47% of employers say they can’t recruit staff with the communication skills they need 65% of young people in young offender institutions have communication difficulties

What is No Pens Day Wednesday?

A national speaking and listening event... A day when learning takes place without writing A day to focus all learning through speaking and listening A day to see the benefits of speaking and listening for learning

...endorsed by Sir Jim Rose... As well as being the bedrocks of reading and writing, the ability to listen attentively, and to speak clearly and fluently are essential life-long skills in their own right. No Pens Day is a wonderful opportunity to design exciting and worthwhile activities to foster these skills - go for it!

...Professor Mick Waters... The idea of a 'No pens day' is a good one. It is a way of proving just how important speaking and listening are in the act of learning. I've seen it tried in a couple of schools. It raises all sorts of questions about the sorts of talk that make a difference.  Have a go....within no time pupils will be seeking a pencil to jot down something that someone said that is worth remembering...

...and Professor Andrew Pollard, member of the current National Curriculum Review expert group No Pens Day is a wonderful idea and should attract attention!   What it offers, with the expert guidance and support of The Communication Trust, are explicit and structured approaches to speaking and listening.  These provide rich learning experiences and exciting teaching - and lead to improved self-confidence and standards from the children.   Why not give it a try?

How to run No Pens Day Wednesday

Preparation The lead member of staff for the day {insert name here} will be available to support you preparing your lessons for the day Check out the materials in the activity pack including lesson plans and activity templates The day will begin with an assembly for pupils run by {insert name} Discuss potential challenges and solutions – what might you / the pupils find hard? Consider Entering the competition to win resources for your school Getting the media involved – check out the media pack Distribute the activity pack and lesson plans / activity templates at end of meeting

Resources The activity pack will give you all the information you need to know The pack along with additional downloads such as school assemblies, are available to download from www.hello.org.uk/no-pens-day-wednesday

Reflections after the day Use the next slides and / or information in the activity pack to reflect on No Pens Day Wednesday, to share good practice, consider impact on pupils and to decide which elements of speaking and listening you might want to retain in your school

Sharing learning For you to think about: For pupils to think about: What worked well? What was challenging? What was the impact on pupils learning? Did you learn something new about your teaching skills and pupils learning skills? Did you get new insight into particular pupils? What aspects would you do again? What were the best activities – why? What were the best lessons – why? Were there times you wanted to write things? When? What do you think about learning this way? Would you like to do more of these activities?

Next steps we might decide to take Choose elements of the day to use again Try one new activity per half term until it is embedded in teaching and learning Support colleagues to do the same Include speaking and listening on staff meeting agendas to maintain momentum For discussion, with opportunities of other suggestions