Literacy & Reading

Welcome to our Literacy and Reading Page!

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 2024

November 2024

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.

We adopt a belief in key stage 3 that students should not be defined too early in their secondary schooling by their key stage 2 results. Although, we use SATs scores (CAT tests in the absence of SATs this year) in a variety of ways, we aim to promote aspirations of students through a combined set and mixed ability approach to grouping. The exception is in maths, where experience and research demonstrates a model based on setting is more effective.

In Year 7, most subjects teach two equal top sets (using scaled scores from national curriculum ks2 tests) with the remainder of students taught in three mixed ability groups per band. At appropriate points in the year, generally after each main assessment week, student movement between groups can occur. This can be for both academic and pastoral reasons.

In Years 8/9, a similar model exists. However, maths, modern foreign languages and science begin to fully set on ability where timetabling allows.

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	3	3	3	9
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
Design and Tech	2	2	2	6
Total	50	50	50	150

We operate a two-year key stage 4. We believe that students are better informed and more mature to make such critical decisions about their option choices.

In key stage 4, all students follow a compulsory curriculum that includes History or Geography throughout the two years. For a number of students, this also involves a modern foreign language, if they have opted for it as part of their options programme.

There is a variety of both mixed ability and academic sets in key stage 4. This is largely dependent on the subject, subject combinations chosen by students and timetabling constraints.

Key Stage 4	Year 10 (Hours)	Year 11 (Hours)	Total (Hours)
English	8	8	12
Maths	8	8	12
Science	7	6	12
History/Geography	5	6	12
Life/Morality	3	3	6
PE	4	4	8
Options	15	15	30
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