George Hicks High School has recently introduced a revolutionary literacy programme aimed at vastly improving literacy levels in the Cayman Islands.

An open demonstration is set to place on Tuesday, 27 March in which parents can see the potential benefits but also what they can do to support their child’s learning.

The new programme is entitled Teaching Handwriting Reading And Spelling Skills or THRASS and was developed by a UK company of the same name.

THRASS was created and perfected by Alan Davies, an educational psychologist and executive director of THRASS UK.

On Friday 23 March, presenters from THRASS completed a two-day course with education delegates from schools across Grand Cayman.

“I’m delighted by the reaction of the teachers and also the government. I believe that THRASS will lead to a dramatic improvement in the level of literacy on the Island,” said Mr Davies.

The course, held at George Hicks Campus, was the first of its kind to be held in the Caribbean. On the strength of that course, and the response it received, three subsequent demonstration lessons have been organized on the Island. These will take place at North Side Primary School, George Town Primary School and John A Cumber in West Bay.

The THRASS programme takes a unique approach to literacy that has proven to be extremely effective. THRASS recently became one of just two programmes approved by the UK education ministry.

“It’s a programme with proven results, it has been tried and tested,” said Des McConvey, Deputy Director of George Hicks Campus.

Adora Bodden-Groome, Campus Director at George Hicks, is the first school principal in the Caribbean to do the THRASS accreditation course.

Keen to promote this new learning tool she is welcoming all parents to Tuesday’s presentation to see how they can help their children’s education. As well as classroom learning courses, the THRASS programme also offers free online assistance that can be used outside of school.

“The nice thing about this programme is that they have a lot of online resources that can be used at home,” said Mr McConvey.

Susie Bayles is the Education Psychologist at George Hicks who gained first hand experience of the THRASS programme when she worked in the UK. “It’s fantastic, definitely increases literacy,” she said.

It is not just schools that are taking an interest in THRASS. Mr Davies explained that the Phoneme Machine, a learning tool designed by THRASS, has been endorsed by Smart Technology, the world leaders in interactive whiteboard technology. Further recognition of the Phoneme Machine has come from software giants Microsoft who wish to showcase it at the upcoming African School Technology Innovation Centre.

The THRASS presentation is open to the public and will take place on Tuesday, 27 March at 5:30 pm in the main hall at George Hicks Campus. More information on the THRASS programme and support materials can be found at www.thrass.co.uk