Literacy

Students at Ashby School are provided with opportunities within the classroom to develop their skills as communicators. In order to be successful, students need to be confident in their own abilities to read, speak and write. These three core strands form our approach to communication across the curriculum. 

Teachers are responsible for embedding reading, writing and verbal communication into their curriculum. Students should be encouraged to articulate their knowledge and understanding with pride within the classroom. Thoughtful conversations should be held between peers that demonstrate higher order thinking, confidence and the ability to make links across subject areas. 

Ashby School recognises that students need to feel empowered to read, extracting the relevant information and being given the tools to use written words to develop their knowledge. To be able to speak like subject specialists is a central goal which enables students to develop more complex and critical arguments. Finally, students need to understand that extended writing doesn’t simply mean more writing; it is about the quality, structure and impact of writing. Students will experience lessons that focus on the process of writing, and are provided with a range of strategies to become more accomplished in this area. 

Literacy is also a focus within the House system, where competitions and tutor time activities are centred on building communication skills. Team work, presentations, puzzles and challenges offer an experience of literacy in a different context, allowing students to use a range of techniques and build confidence.

The National Education Trust have exemplified what effective literacy skills can offer students.
Literacy supports learning. 
Students need vocabulary, expression and organisational control to cope with the cognitive demands of all subjects. 
Writing, reading and speaking helps us to sustain and order thought. 
Better literacy leads to improved self-esteem, motivation and behaviour. 
It allows students to learn independently. 
It is empowering. 
Better literacy raises students’ attainment in all subjects. 

Bearing this in mind, literacy and communication skills are integral to teaching and learning at Ashby School.

Students are encouraged to recognise the value of developed communication skills, with continual reference to how literacy levels will impact on future situations, such as interviews, employment and interactions in the real world. By making cross curricular links and considering students' next steps within lessons, we help students to understand that outstanding literacy and communication are essential to a successful future.