FROM: Brenda Emmott

Key Stage 4 Study Plus

As you may be aware, this year four Norfolk high schools have been taking part in a Secondary National Strategy Pilot of the Key Stage 4 Study Plus intervention course. Initial local and national soundings suggest that the pilot has been successful and the Strategy has decided to make the course available to schools from September 2007.

• To accelerate the progress of pupils who are not predicted to attain Grade C in English or mathematics
  
  
• Support pupils' motivation and learning in relation to English, mathematics and other subjects
  
  
• Strengthen key areas of weakness in literacy and numeracy
  
  
• Have a positive impact on attainment in two or three more GCSE subjects through the application of literacy and numeracy skills in context
  
  

Given the current emphasis on '5+ GCSEs at A* to C including English and mathematics' as a measure of achievement, I anticipate that a number of schools will wish to consider running a Study Plus programme from September 2007.

The pilot has highlighted the importance of ensuring that a senior leader within the school has a thorough grasp of the core principles of Study Plus and applies these principles rigorously when setting up the course. As the programme is designed to be offered as an option at Key Stage 4, its adoption clearly has implications for the design of the options offer to this year's Y9.

I therefore attach two Strategy PDF documents:

Study Plus sample material

and

A timeline for schools considering Study Plus

which I hope will enable senior leaders to make an informed decision about exploring the possibility of running Study Plus from September.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me on 01603 433276 or email brenda.emmott@norfolk.gov.uk