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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures have been taken to improve basic literacy and numeracy for (a) children and (b) adults in Newcastle-under-Lyme since 1997. [198675] Mr. Miliband: Since 1997 raising attainment in literacy and numeracy, for both children and adults, has been a key priority. The Primary National and Key Stage 3 Strategies are the chief means by which we support schools to improve standards of teaching and learning in literacy and numeracy. The National Strategies work with and through LEAs to provide high quality lesson planning and continuing professional development materials, training for headteachers, teachers, and support staff, and hands-on support through a network of consultants. We also offer tailored support to individual LEAs. Staffordshire LEA is currently participating in programmes to improve the quality of leadership and to address low attainment in its schools. National curriculum test results tell us that this focus is paying dividends. In Newcastle-under-Lyme, the percentage of 11-year-olds achieving the expected level (level 4) in maths has risen from 62 per cent. in 1997 to 75 per cent. in 2003, and from 66 per cent. to 76 per cent. in English. At KS3 the percentage of pupils achieving the expected level for their age (level 5) between 1997 and 2003 has increased from 57 per cent. to 69 per cent. in maths and from 61 per cent. to 71 per cent. in English. 2004 constituency level data will be published in the new year. We are similarly working hard to improve levels of literacy and numeracy for adults. Since the launch of the Skills for Life Strategy in 2001, Staffordshire Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has had responsibility for addressing the literacy and numeracy skills of adults in Newcastle-under-Lyme. According to information provided by the LSC, an estimated 10,800 young people and adults participated in the Staffordshire Local LSC Skills for Life programmes in the last year (2003-04). Of these learners, an estimated 4,200 will achieve at least one qualification counting towards the Skills for Life target. Newcastle-under-Lyme College has been active in developing provision in the area, for example by supporting an E Learning bus, which provides state of the art ICT equipment to support adult learners. It offers users the chance to gain nationally recognised qualifications in literacy and numeracy using on-line facilities. Newcastle-under-Lyme is also one of the Region's Testbed Learning Communities and support to improve levels of literacy, numeracy and language skills will be a key strand of this development.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

198675; 426 c2108-9W;426 c2114-5W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Adult education Pupils Standards Literacy Numeracy Newcastle-under-Lyme

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk