Focus on English spelling, says West Berkshire headteacher

Executive head of Kennet School, Paul Dick was responding to questions about pupils reading American books.
He was aware of one book that incorrectly spelt grey (gray), color (colour), and traveling (travelling) on its very first page.
Followed by a totally invented word ‘ahold’ (of) on its second page.
Pupils at a West Berkshire primary school were reading this book, along with others written and published in American books.
Education Minister Michael Gove, currently striving to improve curriculum standards, and Ofsted, who closely monitor teaching skills, are equally concerned about books that confuse and mislead pupils with incorrect spellings and inferior grammar.
Mr. Dick said: “Schools should be careful of the types and style of literature presented to pupils. The majority should be in standard English, helping young people to improve on their accuracy and expressions.
“That said, they should also be exposed to writings from other countries, as these countries have rich cultural and literary heritages.”
Philip Jarrett, Ofsted’s specialist adviser for English, told the Newbury Weekly News: “The use of American books, with different spellings and, perhaps, grammatical constructions, are likely to be unhelpful for young readers, especially those in the early stages of reading.
“As pupils get older, the issue of different forms of spelling and grammar can become a profitable source of discussion, but it is a different matter for early readers.”
Ofsted’s worries were further emphasised by spokeswoman Denise Rawls, who said: “Her Majesty’s chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has issued a national challenge to drive up stalled standards of literacy and English.
“One in five children do not achieve the expected literacy levels by the end of primary school. This amounted to 100,000 pupils last year alone, rising to one in three from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Ofsted’s disturbing figures were gathered during a critical study into English standards at 268 schools, which additionally focused on leadership and management of English, achievement, quality of teaching, and quality of curriculum.
Ofsted concluded: “The best primary schools teach virtually every child to read, regardless of the social and economic circumstances of their neighbourhoods, ethnicity of their pupils, language spoken at home, and most special educational needs or disabilities.
Michael Gove’s pro-active Education Department is urging head-teachers to be extra vigilant to ensure pupils, especially at primary stage, read the right books.
Spokeswoman Anna Sinfield said: “We want teachers to make sensible decisions when supporting children’s book choices in the light of individual children’s needs, particularly for young children in the early stages of reading.”
Report by Brian Radford