Woodingdean school receives national award for literacy programme

A school in Woodingdean has won a national award for its work helping children who have struggled with their reading.

Rudyard Kipling Primary School in Chalkland Rise was named top school in the Exceptional Strategic Management of Literacy in a School category at the annual Institute of Education ‘Reading Recovery’ awards in London.

Also honoured at the awards ceremony was specialist literacy teacher Laura Alderson, of Carlton Hill Primary School in central Brighton. Laura was named South East Teacher of the Year for her outstanding contribution to children’s literacy.

Reading Recovery aims to help the lowest achieving children aged five or six to reach age-expected levels within 20 weeks. It involves one-to-one lessons for 30 minutes every day with a specially trained teacher.

Janet Ferris, chairman of the judging panel, said: “Rudyard Kipling is a wonderful example of what is achievable when we make a commitment to ensure that all children learn to read well and with joy, whatever it takes.

“Laura Alderson has raised the standard for us all. She has found ways of making sure that all children get the support they need to become able and enthusiastic readers and writers.”

Councillor Sue Shanks, chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s children’s and young people committee, said: “In education nothing is more important than basic literacy – all other learning stems from it.

“Both Rudyard Kipling primary school and Laura Alderson deserve to be regarded as heroes for changing so many children’s lives for the better.”