Introduction

The renewed Primary Framework for literacy and mathematics offers everyone involved in teaching children aged from 3 to 11 an opportunity to continue the progress made in raising standards by embedding the principles of both Every Child Matters and Excellence and enjoyment into practice.

"Excellent teaching gives children the life chances they deserve… Enjoyment is the birthright of every child. But the most powerful mix is the one that brings the two together. Children learn better when they are excited and engaged - but what excites and engages them best is truly excellent teaching."

Excellence and enjoyment: a strategy for primary schools, May 2003 (Ref: 0377/2003) 

The aim of the Primary Framework for literacy and mathematics is to support and increase all children's access to excellent teaching, leading to exciting and successful learning. The renewed Framework forms a significant development that builds on the learning that has taken place since the original Frameworks for teaching literacy and mathematics were introduced in 1998 and 1999. The renewal marks an important step and brings new impetus and new structures that are a significant development in teaching and learning in literacy and mathematics, rather than a repackaging of guidance that is already in place. Changes in the structure and content of objectives, along with core guidance are significant, and schools and settings are encouraged to understand the changes and to move towards implementation rather than to rely upon the original Framework.

Significant developments in the teaching of early reading have been incorporated as a consequence of both research and the findings of the Independent review of the teaching of early reading - the Rose Report.