Literacy and Numeracy

Whole School Literacy

Literacy opens the door to the curriculum and is the key to improving the life chances of young people. Since developing these skills is so crucial, it is embedded within teaching, learning and assessment, where it is taught explicitly in every subject. Students are, therefore, required - and become accustomed to – improving their work, following feedback from staff, including correcting errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar,

At Holy Family Catholic School, we make it our mission to ensure that every learner is supported to make progress. There is a reading support programme for those with additional literacy needs, whilst more able students are directed to embrace opportunities for wider reading through extended projects. In addition, all pupils in Years 7-8 have one timetabled lesson, per fortnight, in the school library, during which they receive an induction on how to make effective use of this resource, along with a taught programme, with a focus on reading, thought-provoking discussion and book reviews.

The provision is consolidated with weekly spelling, punctuation and grammar tests during form time, plus spelling competitions between one house and another, all of which lead to tangible rewards, as well as academic progress.

Numeracy

Numeracy Club was officially launched several years ago for students who need additional help to make progress in mathematics. It runs with the support from the maths and learning support departments.

The club is primarily designed to act as a second layer of intervention outside the normal lessons.

At another level it is a support with the aims of:

  • bringing in parental participation to pupils at home and club sessions, and
  • providing identified students an environment conducive for learning maths.

To these ends the club:

  • provides drinks and biscuits during its sessions
  • tries to create a friendly, welcoming and flexible learning environment
  • invites parents/ carers to be present with their children (whenever they are available) during sessions
  • provides resources for parents/ carers to work with their children at home.

The pupils attend the club are selected according to:

  • The results of formal assessments or
  • Recommendation from colleagues in the maths department.

The club also attracts pupils, who are not in the identified list but, wanting to improve their grades/ levels.

The club runs four sessions on the Wiseman site (Monday – Thursday), and two sessions operate on the Walthamstow site ( Monday and Wednesday).

Time: 3.15 – 4.15

Pupils are given 1:1, 3:1, and group tuition on:

  • basic, and
  • functional numeracy

We focus on individual needs, which forms the basis of the club’s continual assessment or on the basis of needs due to the topic learned during formal lessons at a particular time.

Over the period the club has built up its own resources and assessment materials according to NC standards.

Literacy and Numeracy Catch Up Funding Spending