literacy and oracy

Literacy and oracy are essential life skills as they allow us to communicate effectively with others.  At Woodlands we are passionate about literacy and oracy, and we promote these skills in all lessons and in form time.  Our Literacy across the Curriculum Lead is Mrs. Handford, who organises all related key events and opportunities.

We have DEAR time - Drop Everything and Read - each week, where pupils in years 7, 8 and 9 read for enjoyment for a timetabled 20 minute session within their lessons.  We are keen to foster a love of reading and to promote reading for enjoyment, as reading for enjoyment is one of the most influential factors on a child’s literacy level.

Form time resources are carefully created to allow pupils the opportunity to develop their literacy and oracy skills.  Years 7 and 8 spend time reading and discussing a book together in form time twice a week.  Years 9 and 10 read about current affairs and discuss themes linked to the article, exploring ideas and questions together.

In addition to this, there are events and actions to improve the literacy and oracy of our pupils.  Events have included: a published author visiting and presenting to year 9 in and a Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge workshop for some year 10 pupils.  These events are coming up again soon – further information will be provided as appropriate.  Pop-up bookshops are available at parents' and induction evenings and we also carried out a sponsored read and a second hand book sale.  In addition to this, all year 7 pupils were given a new reading book at the start of this academic year as a welcome gift; this was a true pleasure.  We also have a public speaking club once a week to promote confidence in speaking skills.  We also test all of our year 7, 8 and 9 pupils’ reading ages and implement intervention to help them to improve their reading skills where appropriate.

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact vha@woodlandsschool.essex.sch.uk.