Literacy & Reading

Welcome to our Literacy and Reading page! We believe that strong literacy skills are essential for success in all areas of learning. Here, you’ll find resources, tips, and activities designed to help you improve reading, writing, and comprehension skills. Whether you’re looking for book recommendations, strategies to enhance reading fluency, or ways to boost your writing, this page is your go-to guide for developing a love of reading and building confidence in literacy.

Literacy Information Evening

For parents and carers who were unable to attend the event, please see the recording of the session. This explains the importance of literacy, what literacy is, and how we help support students in school to develop these skills – including reading for pleasure.

If you have any questions or queries, please contact Mrs Mohomed, Senior Assistant Headteacher and Literacy Lead on kmohomed@lighthall.co.uk or the Library Manager Mrs Klejdysz on hklejdysz@lighthall.co.uk

October 2025

World Book Days

In key stage 3, all students follow the same curriculum. For organisational purposes the timetable is divided into two equal ability bands (L/H). L stands for ‘Light’ and H for ‘Hall’. For some subjects, the band is split further into two sub-bands (M/I-following the alphabet).

We adopt a view that in key stage 3 students should not be defined too early in their secondary schooling by their key stage 2 results (or teacher assessment). Therefore, we aim to promote aspirations of students through a combined set and mixed ability approach to grouping.

In Year 7 (190-200 students), most subjects teach one top set and three equal mixed ability groups (using scaled scores from national curriculum KS2 tests and/or teacher assessment/CATs). All students reading ability is also assessed. All students in year 7 study a modern foreign language and we encourage as many as possible to continue to study it to GCSE level in year 11.

In Years 8/9, most subjects teach two top sets. At appropriate points in the year, generally after each main assessment week (mid and end of year), student movement between groups occurs. This can be for both academic and pastoral reasons. All decisions on movements are ratified by the Deputy Headteacher, Curriculum (see later section).

Key Stage 3	Year 7 (Hours)	Year 8 (Hours)	Year 9 (Hours)	Total (Hours)
English	8	8	8	24
Maths	7	7	7	21
Science	6	6	6	18
History	4	4	4	12
Geography	4	4	4	12
Life/Morality	2	2	2	6
MFL	4	4	4	12
Music	2	2	2	6
PE	4	4	4	12
Drama	2	2	2	6
ICT	2	2	2	6
Art and Design	2	2	2	6
Tech (Inc Food)	2	2	2	6
PSHEC	1	1	1	1
Total	50	50	50	150

We operate a two-year key stage 4. We believe that students should receive a core curriculum for as long as possible before specialising at key stage 4.

In key stage 4, all students in year 11 follow a compulsory curriculum that includes English, maths, PE, History and/or Geography, Life/morality (short course) and MFL (for those selected) throughout the two years. From September 2025, year 10 students will study Life/morality and PSHEC as part of their scheduled weekly timetable.

Both GCSE and Technical Qualifications are offered in key stage 4. This depends on the subject and the availability of specific courses nationally and subject preference. There is an open options programme. Students are free to choose their subject preference with our guidance. We do not prescribe to placing low-ability or disadvantaged students into qualifications deemed ‘softer’ options.

There is a variety of both mixed ability and academic sets in key stage 4. This is largely dependent on the subject, as well as certain timetabling constraints involving option subjects.

Key Stage 4	Year 10 (Hours)	Year 11 (Hours)	Total (Hours)
English	8	8	16
Maths	8	8	16
Science	8	8	16
History/Geography		5	5
Life/Morality	1	1	2
PE	4	4	8
Options (3 or 4)	20	15	35
PSHEC	1	1	2
Total	50	50	100

Supporting Reading at Home

To support you and your child, I wanted to let you know about the ‘7 Top Tips to Support Reading at Home‘ resource from thee EEF (Education Endowment Foundation) shared at the foot of the page.

This is designed specifically to be shared with families to support you in developing your child’s reading skills as regular reading routines can offer lots of opportunities for learning during school closures.

We also wanted to remind you of the great resources out there, such as the Literacy Trust and their parent-facing platform, Words for Life for children aged up to and including 12 years. This site gives developmental milestones, tips, fun resources and advice to help parents support their children’s literacy development. For children aged 13 and over, why not have a look at Zone In. Here you’ll find the best tips to boost young adults’ reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

We’re not the only people keen to help keep reading and literacy at the forefront. Even Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall’s has launched a new reading platform, The Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room although this is more suitable for adults). One of the really exciting new things to appear is the ‘Virtual School Library’ from Oak National Academy in association with the Literacy Trust. Head over there now to find out more. As they say:

“Having access to a school library is really important for children. School libraries nurture a love of reading that can enrich children’s literacy skills, academic achievements and mental wellbeing. Our Virtual School Library will complement existing school libraries and will ensure that children have access to the magical world of stories all year round, whether they are learning at school or at home. We’ve worked with brilliant publishers and inspiring authors and illustrators to ensure that the books and activities in our Virtual School Library will support children’s wellbeing through reading.”

Good examples for KS3 fantasy books are:

`The Worst Witch` by Jill Murphy,
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Click Here For The Virtual Open Day

Literacy Information Evening

October 2025

World Book Days

Supporting Reading at Home

Book Genres:

Top Reading Tips!

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