Teaching and Learning
Raising Achievement in Literacy and Numeracy
This is a very important strand of Sage's approach. Sage has provided advisor days for schools, two days per school and two INSET days per term, as well as supply cover for staff to work with the advisor. These programmes are currently being redeveloped and will be delivered through small 'collaboratives' of schools.
Mobility
An assessment programme has been run, providing in-class support and addressing issues and problems around casual admissions.
ICT - Sharing Good Practice
Recently Sage schools have worked with a leading teacher, Rosemary Hunt, to create lesson plans and resources to support some of the ICT QCA units of work.
This work builds on previous projects, where leading teachers from five schools played a key role in the ICT - Good Practice programme. They worked with staff in schools to use ICT to improve teaching strategies, create learning materials and improve pupils' attainment across their schools and other zone schools.
Interactive Whiteboard Training
Rosemary Hunt has also provided training on the effective use of Interactive Whiteboard technology in delivering interesting and inspiring lessons designed to maximise pupils' interest in, and benefit from, lessons.
Transition
Sage has been providing a transition programme at Foundation/Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 1/ Key Stage 2. This has developed earlier transition research and includes curriculum studies across key years, cross-phase support, improved use of data and ensuring targeted pupils achieve their individual pupil targets.
Values Education
This involves each school drawing up a list of positive value words, one of which is focused upon each month. The 'Word of the Month' is discussed in circle time, lessons, assemblies and during one-to-one talks. It is thoroughly explored, so that children, staff and parents develop a shared language that can be used to reflect on situations and learn from them.
Many Sage schools are involved in this initiative and Sage is providing training for teachers around Values Education. Some schools were also provided with funding to buy resources, such as books that address the particular values they want to highlight.