Information about learning at Bankhead

Find out information below about literacy and numeracy at Bankhead.

General information from Bankhead

As a parent or carer you can help in many ways. You may be able to help on a regular basis or occasionally, either during the day or after school. It is important to recognise the skills, knowledge and experience that you have which could benefit Bankhead and all our pupils.

You could help with:

  • art, drama and other art-related activities

  • our school library

  • working with computers

  • school trips

  • general help in the classroom

  • school discos

  • plays and concerts

  • school fairs

  • helping with school sports teams

Information about literacy and numeracy in school

Learning through Play

Play allows your child to build relationships and develop important skills for learning, life and work. As your child grows up you will need to take a step back and allow them to play, which helps to build their confidence and independence.

There are lots of different things you can do to encourage your child or young person to play:

  • let your child make a choice

  • encourage play, especially outdoors in all weather

  • let your child finish their play, if you have to stop your child playing, try to give them plenty of warning to allow them to bring their play to a close

  • allow your child to take and manage risks in their play

Since the start of the session at Bankhead we have successfully started using this approach in the infant school (P1 to P3). We have plans to use play based learning more widely within the infant school and will keep you informed.


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Helping your child to read

Reading is a necessary skill for life. The more your child reads, the easier it becomes and the more they enjoy it. Evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day benefit as they:

  • develop a better vocabulary and imagination

  • have an increased general knowledge

  • have improved concentration

  • do better in all school subjects

Reading at Bankhead

Each week, your child in P2 to P7 chooses their reading book from the library, allowing them to choose from a variety of books. Our school and parents raised the money to buy these books so that all children can choose a book that interests them.

Your child in P2 to P7 will have their reading age assessed so that the book they choose is banded to match their reading age. All bands are colour coded so that your child easily knows which books are suitable for them.

If you would like more information on how to help your child to read then contact the school for a leaflet aimed at P1-P3 ’Reading Together’ or P4-P7 'Reading Parents as Partners’.

Please remember to make sure that all reading books are returned to the school in time, please return books on a Friday.


Helping your child understand their reading

Our school uses the reciprocal teaching method to help your child in P1 to P3 understand their reading. This approach uses ‘The Fabulous Five’ Comprehension Puppets and props. Using these puppets children learn key strategies to help to read:

  • how to predict the book from the title, pictures, etc

  • to ask themselves questions about the book to help their understanding

  • summarise the book, or part of the book

  • visualise and clarify the book as they are reading

Your child in P4 to P7 will build on these strategies by learning more reading skills like how to :

  • scan and skim

  • connect

  • determine importance

  • paraphrase and synthesise


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Helping your child to count

Confidence in maths and numeracy are essential for all children. Learning maths is a rich and stimulating experience, which allows your child to develop logical reasoning, yet think creatively. Good maths skills are sought after by employers in today’s global economy, but are also essential life skills.

Maths and numeracy give your child the skills to:

  • interpret and analyse information

  • simplify and solve problems

  • assess risk

  • make informed decisions

There are many ways of enjoying learning maths and numeracy with your child found on the Maths Week Scotland resources.


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