What Works for Children with Literacy Difficulties? - Digital ...

The National Literacy Strategy’s Three Waves
The NLS assumes three ‘waves’ of support for pupils, as described below. The SEN Code of
Practice (2001) describes a ‘graduated response’ to identifying and meeting special
educational needs which may be mapped onto the NLS’s three waves as shown.
Wave One:
The effective inclusion of all pupils in a high quality Literacy Hour (Quality First Teaching)
Pupils may be at any point on the ‘graduated response’ – i.e. the usual differentiated
curriculum, School Action or School Action Plus
Wave Two:
Small group intervention (Early Literacy Support, Additional Literacy Support, Further
Literacy Support, intervention programmes, Booster classes, equivalent LEA- or school-based
programmes) for pupils who can be expected to ‘catch up’ with their peers as a result of the
intervention – that is, who do not have special educational needs related specifically to
learning difficulties in literacy or mathematics.
Wave Two interventions are not primarily SEN interventions. Where intervention
programmes are delivered without modification within the designated year group, there is
no requirement that the pupils involved should be placed on School Action.
Pupils included in Wave Two interventions may on occasion already be at School Action or
School Action Plus, or have a statement of special educational needs. This may be where
they have special educational needs such as emotional and behavioural difficulties,
communication and interaction difficulties, or sensory or physical impairment, for which
they are receiving other forms of intervention.
Wave Three: Specific targeted intervention for pupils identified as requiring SEN support.
Pupils at Wave Three may have particular needs related specifically to literacy, or needs
associated with other barriers to their learning.
Provision at Wave Three is likely to draw on specialist advice. It may involve the adjustment
of learning objectives and teaching styles, and/or individual support. It aims to reduce gaps in
attainment and facilitate greater access to Waves One or Two.
Pupils receiving Wave Three support will always be placed on School Action, and on
School Action Plus if an external agency is involved in assessment, planning and review.
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