Literacy

2022-23 Literacy Policy: Literacy is at the heart of everything we do at HASN. We have a clear vision that every teacher at the academy is a teacher of literacy, as we recognise the opportunities that proficient literacy skills provide for our students. Collectively, we strive for excellence, in the teaching of literacy, to develop the confidence, self-belief and motivation of our students and to ensure that they are fully equipped to be successful both within education and beyond.

We believe that promoting literacy is a whole academy responsibility and not just that of the English department. We also invite you to join us in developing your child's literacy at home.   

Reading and literacy skills are the key to learning and pleasure. They open doors and allow our students to access all aspects of the curriculum, whilst improving oracy, communication and problem-solving skills.

You can read more on our vision in our 2021-22 Literacy Policy here.

English Recommended Reads: Enjoyed sleuthing with Sherlock? Growing perseverance with Parvana? Forming friendships with George and Lennie? Gossiping with Benedick and Beatrice? You can find books of similar themes, genres, authors, ideas and events like the books you read in English here. Enjoy! 

Read to Achieve: If your child has been identified as a student who will benefit from extra support with their reading, they might be asked to take part in HASN's bespoke reading programme. Trained tutors read with students once a week during form tutor time to help student comprehension, inference, and decoding skills. We are currently reading 'Look Both Ways' by Jason Reynolds - you can read more about this story here! If you would like more information on the 'Read to Achieve' programme, you can look at the tutor presentation here, or contact the Whole School Literacy Lead, Ms Powell (PowellA2@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk).

Check out Miss D-J, Ms. Lindsay and Mr Horton reading with their 'Read to Achieve' groups! 

HASN is a Reading School: At HASN, we understand the importance of every child reading, not only for immediate progress in knowledge, mental health, empathy and schoolwork, but also the long-term impact on a student's life. At HASN, we strive to ensure every child has a book kept with them at all times. If you would like to know more about the benefits of reading, you can read this study done by the Reading Agency here. If you would like to know what to recommend your child, or even better, read with them, check out these recommended reads! You can also see our assembly on why it's so important to be a reader here. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to reach out to the Whole School Literacy Lead, Miss Mason (masoni@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk).

How often should I be reading?

The short answer is, as often as you like! During a normal school day, every student will spend time in lessons reading for knowledge. 

To help continue this habit while at home, we are encouraging students to aim to read at least 2—3 times a day for 20 minutes, if you can, including 20 minutes reading aloud to a parent, sibling or even a pet! 

After finishing a book, why not write a review and share it on social media or email it to Miss Mason (masoni@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk) so we can add it to our website.

First Chapter Thursday and Tutor Spellings: Every week, we would like to give every student the opportunity to experience a new story. We hope that not only will every student’s reading comprehension improve, but through exposing them to complete stories, read with passion and enthusiasm each week, we will inspire them to seek new reading opportunities independently. You can read our about our First Chapter Thursday programme here.

Bedrock Vocabulary: Our fantastic vocabulary learning system, providing students with online lessons to boost their word power. Students in Yr 7-9 should be completing at least 2 online lessons per week, as part of their English homework. Please contact Mrs Oakley or Ms Powell if you have not yet received log-in details (oakleyh@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk / powella2@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk). Remember you can download Bedrock for your phones and iPad's, or you can access the desktop version.

Literacy as an Extra Curricular: Throughout the year, HASN has so many opportunities for students to improve their literacy skills, enter national writing and reading competitions, or practice their oracy skills through DebateMate.

This year we entered the Empowered Poetry Competition, with 12 of our students getting picked to be published in a nationwide poetry anthology that will be kept in the National Archives in the British Library forever! You can read more about the competition, and any upcoming events, here.

DebateMate is also a very popular club with our KS3 and 4 students. As a club, they are taught skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and grace under pressure. Last term 14 students got the opportunity to go to Westminster to watch a public debate! 

Literacy Resources:

Online newspapers: these are a brilliant way to read high-quality non-fiction (particularly useful for our Yr 10 and Yr 11s). The Guardian’s and the Independent’s articles are available free at all times, and The Telegraph is currently offering a 30-day free trial.

The National Literacy Trust has put together an amazing collection of resources to help parents with home schooling. Have a look at the Family Zone on their website for literacy resources from literacy experts and some famous faces (check out David Walliams' contributions).

The Carnegie Award: The annual award for children’s books, with some brilliant books on the shortlist every year. There are also resources on its websites to get children discussing the texts.

The Guardian’s Word of the Week