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Literacy

Statement of Intent:

At Kettering Science Academy (KSA) we strongly advocate for the empowering potential of literacy for all of our students, whatever their starting point. Being able to read fluently, write and speak and listen is fundamental in allowing our students to grow and thrive and a key component in our curriculum commitment to learners at KSA.

We firmly believe that ‘Every member of staff is a Teacher of Literacy’ and this is a fundamental thread in our development of teaching and learning as we move through 2022 and beyond.

We will provide all students the knowledge of phonics to read fluently and at an age appropriate level. We will support all students to have the strength to read a wide range of challenging texts, both fiction and non-fiction. All students will have the ambition to read widely and often, recognising reading as a key skill to enable success in adulthood.

Our current focus in literacy is centred around three key objectives, with reading as the central theme.

1) Ensure effective disciplinary literacy, encompassing effective vocabulary teaching paired with the embedded reading of challenging texts.

1) Develop a school wide reading culture, for its intrinsic and extrinsic value3) Provide high quality and effective interventions for struggling readers that meet their reading needs

Literacy testing

Every year 7 student completes a series of tests (CAT4 and GL Assessment: NGRT & NGST) to accurately assess students starting points.  Based on their scores, students undergo further assessments to diagnose their specific literacy needs so the most effective interventions can be put in place.  Students are tested again at the beginning of year 8 and year 9 to measure impact of any interventions and ensure up to date information is shared with their teachers for class profiles

KSA Reads

KSA Reads takes place weekly during tutor times. Reading aloud enables fluency to be modelled, meaning to be generated and drama to be created; it also helps students to familiarise themselves with complex vocabulary, different rhythms and patterns of syntax.  In short, reading aloud can bring a text to life. 

 

Y7

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher

 

grief

religion

terrorism

community

Trash by Andy Mulligan

 

global poverty

political corruption

power

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519uqIX7DEL._SX324_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Y8

The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon

 

refugees

emigration

friendship

Millions by Frank Cottrell-Boyce

 

Brothers/sisters

Death

money

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/514CMfRib7S._SX324_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Y9

The Witch Child

By Celia Rees

 

Historical fiction

Witchcraft

Cromwell

The Outsiders by SE Hinton

 

USA 1960s

violence

BBC top 100

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41EtecRAzbL._SX324_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Y10

The Gilded Ones

Namina Forna

Fantasy stories, BAME characters

A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge

English Civil War

supernatural

 

Y11

Weekly articles linked to GCSE study

 

 

Weekly articles linked to GCSE study

 

 

 

Accelerated Reader

This year we have introduced Accelerated Reader. This program is where a student reads a book, takes an online quiz, and gets immediate feedback. Students respond to regular feedback and are motivated to make progress with their reading skills. Together with Star Reading and myON by Renaissance, it forms a complete reading practice and assessment solution for students of all ages and abilities. At KSA all year 7 students and selected students in Year 8 and 9 will take part in the Accelerated Reader programme.

The Star Reading tests create a comprehensive set of reports and reveal how much a student has been reading, at what level of complexity, and how well they have understood what they have read. Vocabulary growth and literacy skills are also measured, giving teachers insight into how well students have responded to reading schemes and class instruction

Literacy Interventions

Fresh Start

Fresh Start is an intervention programme for key stage three students, developed by Ruth Miskin to follow on from the primary programme ‘Read, Write, Inc.’

Using the techniques and knowledge that your child may have already acquired, the Fresh Start programme develops literacy skills further, whilst engaging your child in a fun and fast-paced daily 30-minute lesson.

After an initial diagnostic placement test, students are placed in groups of no more than seven; this allows for excellent small-group teaching, where they can feel safe and secure to enjoy the Fresh Start experience.

If you have any questions regarding the Fresh Start programme, please do not hesitate to contact one of the following members of staff on their email address below.

Grace.Horne@ketteringscienceacademy.org

Claire.Siddall@ketteringscienceacademy.org

Karen.Docherty@ketteringscienceacademy.org

Sixth Form Literacy Leaders

Students who have progressed from the Fresh Start programme, as well as others from Year 7 and Year 8 are invited to be part of the Literacy Leaders programme. Each student is paired with a Sixth former, with whom they can build confidence through weekly reading sessions during tutor time.

Lexia

If students require further some intervention, the Lexia programme provides students with highly personalised literacy package. These sessions are delivered in small groups by teaching assistants using a computer programme. Students can work at a level suited to their needs. This intervention is routinely used as part of our Transition curriculum.