In September 1998 The Literacy Strategy was introduced. No two sessions are identical but most lessons will start with the class studying a text or sharing ideas about a piece of writing. This could be a story, a poem, or a piece of non-fiction and could involve children expressing their thoughts through speaking and listening activities and drama. This is followed by individual or group work when the children discover more about the book or writing being studied. Every group will work closely with the teacher in this session for one day each week, while the other children work independently. The final 10 minutes of the lesson will be used to allow children to share what they have learned and to develop their skills and knowledge further

During the week the whole class will also look closely at words and sounds, vocabulary, spelling or the features of different sorts of texts.

This new arrangement means that teachers give less time to hearing individual children read, but spend more time on the teaching of reading. Of course children who are just learning to read, or those who find reading difficult will be heard reading aloud, but at another time outside the literacy hour. It is important that children develop the habit of reading regularly at home. All children have a reading record for parents to sign when they are encouraged to develop personal taste and to become more independent and reflective readers. They will be introduced to materials that offer insight into a variety of social and cultural experiences.