Literacy Strategy
At Preston Manor School, we believe that all teachers are teachers of literacy. We are committed to developing students’ literacy skills to support learning and raise standards across the curriculum.
Literacy is an integral part of all lessons, and students are explicitly taught how strong reading, writing, speaking and listening skills underpin both academic success and their ability to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Students are supported to develop:
- The vocabulary, expression and organisation needed to meet the demands of all subjects
- Active reading skills, enabling them to read with purpose, question meaning and engage critically with a range of texts
- Writing that clarifies and structures thinking
- Oracy skills to communicate ideas clearly, confidently and effectively in a range of contexts
Click on the expandable to find out more
Reading
Reading
We aim to develop confident, independent and purposeful readers across the curriculum. Pupils are supported to:
- Use a range of reading strategies, including predicting, summarising, questioning and clarifying
- Reading actively, engaging with and responding critically to texts
- Develop comprehension skills to understand, interpret and analyse meaning
- Annotate texts effectively to support understanding and evaluation
- Build and apply Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary across subjects
- Access regular reading opportunities in all areas of the curriculum
- Engage with a wide range of high-quality and challenging texts across genres and disciplines
Writing
Writing
We aim to develop confident, accurate and purposeful writers across the curriculum. Students are supported to:
- Use subject-specific vocabulary, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 languages, accurately and effectively
- Structure their writing clearly for different purposes, audiences and forms
- Use sentence stems and models to support clarity and coherence
- Plan, organise and develop their ideas before writing
- Write with accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar
- Edit and proofread their work to improve clarity and correctness
- Redraft and refine their writing to enhance quality and impact
- Write regularly across the curriculum for a range of purposes
Oracy
Oracy
We aim to develop confident, articulate and respectful speakers and listeners across the curriculum. Students are supported to:
- Communicate ideas clearly and confidently in a range of contexts
- Use subject-specific vocabulary accurately when speaking
- Participate in structured discussions, debates and presentations
- Listen actively and respond thoughtfully to others
- Build on and challenge ideas respectfully
- Use talk to develop thinking, clarify understanding and rehearse ideas
- Adapt their speech for different audiences and purpose
Disciplinary Literacy
Disciplinary Literacy
We recognise that literacy is subject-specific. Each department explicitly teaches the reading, writing and communication skills required for success in their discipline, ensuring pupils can access and excel in all areas of the curriculum.
Vocabulary Development
Vocabulary Development
Developing a student's vocabulary is a key priority. Staff explicitly teach Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary across subjects, using consistent strategies to support understanding, retention and application.
Inclusion: EAL and SEND
Inclusion: EAL and SEND
We are committed to ensuring all pupils can access the curriculum:
- Students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) are supported through modelling, scaffolding and vocabulary development, while valuing their home languages
- Students with SEND are supported through adaptive teaching, including scaffolding, chunking of texts and appropriate use of assistive strategies
Assessment and Intervention
Assessment and Intervention
Literacy is regularly assessed to identify strengths and areas for development. Targeted interventions are used to support students who require additional help, ensuring all learners can make progress.
Reading Culture
Reading Culture
We promote a culture of reading for pleasure and academic success through:
- Regular opportunities for independent reading
- Access to a wide range of high-quality texts
- Encouragement of reading beyond the classroom
Staff and Parental Partnership
Staff and Parental Partnership
All staff are responsible for modelling high standards of literacy. We also work in partnership with parents and carers, providing guidance on how to support literacy development at home.
Sparx Reader
Sparx Reader
Sparx reader is a reading, comprehension and vocabulary programme that gets all young people reading regularly to help improve their literacy.