Literacy is a core subject and is very much at the heart and vision of New Siblands School.

It is taught throughout all the Key Stages.

There are 5 foci:

Reading

Emergent Writing ( Genres)

Handwriting

Phonics

Speaking & Listening.

 

In the Primary Department Texts are used to deliver Shared Reading and Writing and cover the many different genres e.g. Instructional, Alphabetical, Information, Recount, Discursive & Persuasive, Explanation and Descriptive as well as a range of texts including Stories with Predictable and Patterned Language, Chants, Stories with Familiar Settings, Action and Nursery Rhymes, Poetry, Traditional Tales, Myths and Fables, Multi Cultural, Fairy Stories and Poems and Stories by significant children's authors.

 

      
           

 

In the Secondary Department. i.e. Key Stages 3,4,5, Text types follow the recommendations for Mainstream Secondary Schools and include Shakespeare, Pre 1914 Poetry, Multi Media Images, Post 1914 Fiction and Non Fiction. The above genres are also studied.

Texts such as Romeo and Juliet, Carrie's War, Newspapers, Matilda, Animal Farm, Michael Palin (Travel ) and Pantomime have all been very successfully differentiated to suit the needs and abilities of our pupils at New Siblands School. The pupils enjoy these texts very much and through drama , the use of ICT and Sensory Resources begin to experience  the richness of Literature.

 

                          

 

 

Speaking and Listening is also an integral part of Literacy and includes Drama, Speaking, Listening and Group Discussion.

 

 

In September 2008, the Primary Department of New Siblands School began to deliver the New Literacy Framework to its pupils. This meant that pupils were taught about a range of genres and texts in blocks or units of work e.g.  Poetry /Narrative and Non Fictional texts  would be taught in a block over a few weeks rather than dotted around the term.   However, the most significant change to Literacy, has been the introduction of the Daily Phonics lesson across both Primary and Secondary Departments. The publication, "Letters and Sounds" which incorporates the recommendations of the Rose Report has been used in helping to assess pupils in this area and plan lessons. It is a very systematic approach and encourages pupils to learn a group of sounds and begin to use them by blending to read and segmenting to spell. There are 6 phases which the pupils are expected to work through systematically.  "Tricky Words" are taught through a "whole word approach" as they do not follow the phonetic rule.   So far, "Daily Phonics" lessons have been very successful and all pupils thoroughly enjoy participating in them. Pupils' rate of progress has increased as they practice daily.   All classrooms have a Phonics area of learning where creative resources not only embed the learning but add to the fun.  

 

The teaching of Phonics is relevant for all pupils.

At the earliest stages it is about sound discrimination, identifying a range of sounds e.g. musical, environmental and body sounds and vocalisation. Microphones, echo machines and resonance boards etc encourage all pupils to join in with some form of intensive interaction and vocalisation.   At the later stages, the phonics programme helps pupils to "segment" (spell) and "blend" (read) phonemes (letter sounds).   Alternative spellings such as the use of "ai"/ "ae"/  "ay" etc are taught as pupils progress through the phases.   It is expected that this approach will especially assist all those pupils who use augmentative communication aids.  

    

Whole School Target:

 

A whole school target was set in 2007-2008 for all pupils with SLD, on average, to increase attainment by one subset Pivat level in Reading and Writing. This target was achieved!   As a school we will be analysing the results in 2008-2009 to see if there is significant progress in the area of phonics, reading and writing as a result of the daily phonics lessons.  

 

  The 14-19 Diploma:

 

This has proved to be an exciting development for our students in the Post 16 classes. As part of the Diploma, there is a focus on Functional Skills. Literacy skills are developed within the context of the new Diploma Lines which are related to Vocational Learning.

 

Speaking and Listening  

 

In Term 3, pupils will be participating in "The Rotary Club", Speaking and Listening competition. This will raise the profile of Speaking and Listening within the context of New Siblands School.        

Library

                                     

 

We have a colourful Library, situated in the entrance foyer. The use of  books are very much encouraged for all pupils even with the advancement in ICT . Other Curriculum subjects offer opportunity for Cross Curricular Literacy and with the use of  The Interactive Whiteboard  pupils' learning is enhanced by electronic books and Powerpoint presentations etc.

 

                                            

 

Pupils use Reading Scheme books. Primary Department uses mostly a selsction of Oxford Reading Tree as well as alternative phonic and Non- Fiction based schemes.

Secondary Pupils have schemes that are age appropriate.

For pupils with more Profound and Multiple difficulties we have a range of sensory books and individually made books to suit pupil interests.

 

One of our most recent initiatives has been in the area of Outdoor Education. As Literacy Co-Ordinator I would be looking to develop the concept of Cross Curricular Literacy in the outdoor as well as indoor environment.