Saint Hugh S NS School Improvement Plan

Saint Hugh’s NS School Improvement Plan

1. Introduction

As part of our ongoing work in the school we conducted a school self-evaluation of teaching and learning last year.

We evaluated literacy levels within the school in the areas of reading, spelling and vocabulary.

For more information on how the evaluation took place please see the ‘St Hugh's NS self-evaluation report for the school community’ which is available on the ‘Policies and Procedures’ page of This school improvement plan sets out the actions that we will undertake in the school over the next three years from Junior Infants to Sixth Class.

2. Summary of school self-evaluation findings

2.1 Our school has strengths in the following areas:

Strengths
The majority of pupils can read very capably at their class level.
The majority of pupils enjoy reading
The majority of pupils achieve good to high grades in the vocabulary section of the Drumcondra Reading Test
The majority of pupils score high percentages in the weekly spelling tests

We know this because we consulted with students, parents and teachers and examined test results.

2.2 Our school has decided to prioritise the following areas of development:

Areas for development
The broadening of the vocabulary of the pupils
Although the majority of pupils score above the national average in the vocabulary section of the Drumcondra Reading Test we feel it is an area where we must strive for constant improvement as it is directly linked to progress in all subjects.
The improvement of spelling in ‘unaided writing’ – where the pupils must work alone when writing a story/poem etc. The majority of pupils achieve high grades in spelling tests but in many cases this standard of spelling is not always replicated when the pupils are writing a story, poem etc. We have decided to prioritise this area to improve the pupils’ standard of written work

2.3 Our school has set the following ‘Targets for Improvement’ which are related to pupils’ achievement and has identified the following actions which will help in achieving this target over the next three years.

Targets for Improvement / Action
To increase each pupil’s result in the ‘Vocabulary Section’ of the Drumcondra Reading Test each year over the next three years. The ‘Vocabulary Section’ tests pupils on their knowledge of the meaning of words. These results will be communicated to parents in the end-of-year reports. / We are increasing the amount of reading material used by the pupils in school so they will be exposed to a broader range of vocabulary
The Comprehension Box: 1st - 6th Class will read and answer two comprehension reading cards from ‘The Comprehension Box’ ever week (Monday and Wednesday night)
The Primary Planet: 3rd – 6th will read and complete exercises on ‘The Primary Planet’ – a topical monthly magazine for primary school pupils.
Folen’s Reading Pack: 1st and 2nd Class will read and answer questions on one supplementary reader from the ‘Folen’s Reading Pack’ each week.
Novels: The pupils will listen to one novel being read every year.
Drama: Exercises in Drama class will involve using new vocabulary encountered in all subject areas.
Oral English: An emphasis will be placed on the acquisition of new vocabulary during these lessons.
Maths: An emphasis will be placed on the learning of Maths terminology.
Classroom Word Wall: Each classroom will have a ‘Word Wall’ displaying a weekly (3rd – 6th) / monthly (Jnr Inf – 2nd Class) bank of new vocabulary to be learnt.
Pupil Word Bank: All pupils will write three new words per week they have encountered and their meanings, into their Word Bank (which is in their folders).
Target for Improvement / Action
To increase each pupil’s result in the ‘Drumcondra Spelling Test’ each year over the next three years. These results will be communicated to parents in the end-of-year reports.
There will be a gradual reduction in spelling mistakes in the pupils’ ‘Let’s Write’ copies’ as the year progresses. / Print-rich environment: the words that the pupils most frequently misspell will be on display on the walls of the classroom.
Discrete Spelling Lessons: Once a fortnight the pupils will be taught patterns and methodologies in spelling.
Weekly written exercises: For Tuesday’s homework the pupils will have to write a short piece in different genres in their ‘Let’s Write’ copies. A count will be kept on the amount of misspellings, handwriting, grammar and punctuation mistakes and word omissions. The pupils will have to rewrite the corrected version for Thursday’s homework. As the year progresses the emphasis will be on gradually reducing the amount of mistakes in the writing.
Spelling Tests: The Friday spelling test will continue as normal. Emphasis will be placed on improvement in the dictation tests, where the pupils are tested by having to write a full sentence and not just single words.

As a parent you can help us by exposing your child to a wide variety of reading materials (newspapers, magazines, comics, novels etc). Pupils would also benefit from regular visits to the library. Parents should also monitor their child’s progress in their ‘Let’s Write’ copy.

2.4 We know we will have achieved our targets in broadening the pupils’ vocabulary when each pupil’s result in the ‘Vocabulary Section’ of the Drumcondra Reading Test improves each year over the next three years.

We know we will have achieved our targets in improving the pupils’ spelling in ‘unaided-writing’ when each pupil’s result in the Drumcondra Spelling Test improves each year over the next three years and there is a reduction in mistakes in their ‘Let’s Write’ copies.

3. As a response to suggestions in the Parents’ Questionnaires..

all pupils have been issued with School Homework Diaries
an English and Maths Progress Report for will be sent home for each pupil shortly before March 17th.

Please note that if you have any concerns or queries at any stage during the year in relation to your child, do not hesitate to contact the school to arrange a meeting.