ABSTRACT
In September 1998, virtually every primary school teacher in England was trained to use the National Literacy Strategy (NLS). This became, in educational terms, one of the largest educational reforms world wide and, unlike the existing National Curriculum, prescribed not only what was to be taught, but also how. It was followed a year later by the National Numeracy Strategy (NNS). These initiatives are sometimes jointly referred to as ‘the Strategies’ or National Literacy/Numeracy Strategies (NLNS). In 2003 they became the heart of a re-launched Primary National Strategy (PNS), with its vision of ‘excellence and enjoyment’ (DfES 2003a) being recognised through increased flexibility for schools to innovate and to raise (literacy and numeracy) standards through a rich, broad and balanced curriculum. These Strategies have had a profound influence on primary education throughout England.
