HAMPSHIRE County Council is developing new ideas to help schools raise standards in English for Key Stage Two pupils.

The standard of English in Hampshire schools, although above the national average, has remained static for the last two years, as it has nationally.

To raise standards further new methods are being developed over the next two years which will see a greater amount of support given to teachers and pupils.

Assessments in schools have found the teaching of reading has been successful, with standards far higher in the county than five years ago.

The successful development of teaching reading in schools will be continued, especially 'guided reading' where children work closely with the teacher in small groups to enhance reading skills.

New approaches will be established in schools to raise the standards in writing, including guided writing, extended writing of longer duration and an initiative where children are encouraged to talk like a book to improve vocabulary and sentence construction by rehearsing writing through talk.

To allow teachers to monitor more accurately the reading progress of year four pupils, it is proposed a new test by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) will replace the current National Foundation for Educational Research reading tests. This test is preferred as it will assess pupils against the national curriculum.

A report proposing the QCA test be adopted will be presented to the council's executive member for education, Cllr Don Allen, early next year.

Cllr Allen said: "Teachers in Hampshire work extremely hard and are committed to raising standards. English Key Stage 2 results have risen and we want to make still more progress. It is essential we constantly assess and develop our teaching methods."