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Literacy

Literacy is an essential part of all students’ curriculum. It is fundamental to everything students do in school both within the classroom through disciplinary literacy and around the school through our literacy initiatives. Our aim is to ensure all students can read, write and communicate effectively. In addition to our whole-school literacy strategies, we have embedded a range of interventions to support students who need additional support.

Literacy Interventions

Whole-school literacy programme: this is the development of a reading culture at Saltash through the use of disciplinary literacy, library lessons, TEAM Reader programme, Accelerated Reader and staff promotion of reading.

Fresh Start: this programme is a 1-1 reading support programme designed to support students who did not meet ‘expected standard’ when they left primary school. It is also designed for older, struggling readers. The programme begins as a 1-1 reading programme and develops into group sessions. LSAs along with one of our reading tutors will meet with students each day of the week. Extraction will be from a range of lessons to minimise the impact on any one subject. Students in Year 7-9 will have this intervention if required.

Catch-Up Literacy: this programme is designed for struggling readers in Year 10-11. It involves fewer sessions but has also been evaluated by the EEF as successful. Students will be extracted from a range of lessons to minimise disruption.

 
Bedrock Learning

Students in Years 7 - 10 have been enrolled onto a digital learning platform called 'Bedrock Learning'. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to continue to develop their understanding and use of Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary as well as important aspects of grammar.

All students have completed a baseline test that establishes a personalised programme which enables them to work through blocks of learning that adapt to their literacy needs. 

Students will be using the platform during some of their lessons and they will also be asked to complete some of the blocks as part of their home learning. 

We hope that our students enjoy using this exciting new platform and we look forward to seeing them progress with their literacy. If you have any questions about Bedrock Learning or if your child has any difficulties with accessing the platform from home, please get in touch with your son/daughter's English teacher. 

 
TEAM Reader

TEAM Reader is our tutorial reading programme where tutors read a range of engaging, challenging texts, modelling excellent reading as students follow along with their own book.

The aims of TEAM Reader are:

1. To expose students to a wide range of literature covering many issues

2. To improve students’ reading ability by modelling good reading practice and fluency

3. To engender a love of reading to encourage students to want to read more

Text Selection

The range of texts used has been decided upon by the whole staff body, ensuring they meet certain criteria. The books used:

  • Help to make connections between a student’s own knowledge and experience
  • Allow demonstration of fluency, pace and prosody
  • Present new and interesting vocabulary that is different from everyday conversation
  • Support discussion around character, plot or resolution development
  • Develop an awareness of different styles of writing
  • Introduce texts with increasing complexity and abstract concepts
  • Address issues within our local community
  • Promote a global awareness and understanding of important issues, as well as Fundamental British Values
  • Confront important and difficult issues in a supportive, safe environment
  • Access some texts well beyond those they could read themselves, familiarising themselves with complex vocabulary, rhythm and patterns of syntax.

 TEAM Reader Books

Year 7

Book Name

Themes

1

The Silver Sword

Oppression. Racism.

2

The Goldfish Boy

Autism representation. Emotions. Grief.

3

Twelve Minutes to Midnight

Strong female lead.

4

Refugee Boy

Cultural diversity. Refugee.

5

The Graveyard Book

Alienation. Greed. Good vs Evil.

6

The Truth of Things

Social issues. Family relationships.

7

Wolf

Terrorism

8

War Horse

Grief. Conflict. Loyalty. Survival.

Spare

The London Eye Mystery

Autism representation.

Year 8

Book Name

Themes

1

The Curious Incident

Autism representation. Family relationships.

2

The Tulip Touch

Social responsibility. Peer pressure.

3

I Am Thunder

Bullying. Radicalisation. Religion. Islamophobia.

4

Noughts and Crosses

Racism. Radicalisation.

5

Chinese Cinderella

Family relationships. Abandonment. Self-esteem.

6

Maggot Moon

Positive dyslexia representation. Oppression. Friendship.

7

Looking for JJ

Ethical issues. Prejudice.

8

The Cay

Prejudice. Racism. Multiculturalism.

Spare

The Boy Who Steals Houses

Autism representation. Friendship.

Year 9

Book Name

Themes

1

Guantanamo Boy

Racism. Prejudice.

2

Tamar

Jealousy. Betrayal.

3

Enders Game

Empathy. Morality. Survival.

4

The Hate You Give

Multiculturalism. Strong female character. Prejudice. Racism.

5

Max

Racism. Oppression. Prejudice. Social conditioning.

6

My Sister's Keeper

Grief. Moral dilemmas. Family relationships.

7

Woman in Black

Fear. Isolation. Grief.

8

The Lord of the Flies

Society vs savagery. Tribalism. Survival.

Spare

Touching the Void

Tenacity. Motivation. Defying the odds.

Year 10

Book Name

 Themes

1

Purple Hibiscus

Identity. Freedom. Oppression.

2

The Number 57 Bus

LGBTQ+. Diversity. Multiculturalism.

3

The Fault in our Stars

Cancer. Grief.

4

Tease

Bullying. Toxic Friendship. Suicide.

5

Q and A

Poverty. Tenacity. Wealth and class.

6

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

LGBTQ+. Diversity. Multiculturalism.

7

The Boxer

Racism. Radicalisation.

8

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

LGBTQ+. Drugs. Alcohol.

Spare

The Midnight Library

Suicide. Mental health. Loneliness. Grief.

Year 11

Book Name

 Content

All  groups

The only study guide you’ll ever need.

 Learning and revision techniques.

 
Accelerated Reader

Students use Accelerated Reader during their library lessons and at home to self-quiz on books they have read. Successfully completing quizzes leads to students ‘achieving’ the word-count of that book.

Accelerated Reader Link: https://ukhosted27.renlearn.co.uk/2234740/

 
Reading Badges

When students reach certain word milestones, they are awarded with a badge to recognise their achievement. Each TEAM reader book has at least 20,000 words, allowing all students to achieve their first badge as soon as they have finished their first book with their tutor.

 

 
Reading Journey: Suggested Reads

For students (and parents) who may not know what to read, the Saltash reading Journey provides a pathway through all the badge milestones.