Literacy & Numeracy
Our Literacy Learning Journey
LIFElines
Reading at Wade Deacon (and beyond!)
At Wade Deacon, we believe that reading is the gateway to the world around us. From stories to newspapers, blogs to comic books, we believe our students should be immersed in the array of Literature which exists in our world.
To support this, we believe that all of our students should read as much as possible and that includes reading at home. All Year 7 students have an Accelerated Reader book and accompanying Reading Log which they use at home to support their enjoyment of reading.
For all year groups to enjoy the wonders of reading, we offer access to the school library as part of the Wade Deacon Experience. Library Time can be accessed before school, during break and lunch time and after school; students can sign up to this via School Synergy.
These are the most popular books which have been checked out and returned by each year group since September 2022; please visit our library to enjoy these fantastic titles. These are available from our school library and can be checked out on a fortnightly basis (more, if you simply can’t put it down!)
Recommended books for Years 7
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Meltdown by Jeff Kinney
Demon Dentist by David Walliams
The Parent Agency by Michael Baddiel
Recommended books for Years 8
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
The World’s Worst Pets by David Walliams
Gold of the Gods by Bear Grylls
Recommended books for Year 9
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
Wings by Aprilynne Pike
Recommended books for Years 10
Alone on a Wide Wide Sea by Michael Morpurgo
The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Recommended books for Years 11
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
To keep our library fully stocked and up-to-date, we are updating our books which includes some very popular titles; our most recent additions include:
-The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean by Alastair Humphreys
-Looking for Emily by Fiona Longmuir
-The Breakfast Club Adventures by Marcus Rashford with Alex Falase- Koya
-The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Reading for Pleasure
- A live streamed event with Michael Morpurgo to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of War Horse. This can be watched here (listen closely during the final ten minutes to hear Mr Morpurgo answer a question from one of our very own Year 7 students!)
- Scholastic Book Fair visit for one week.
- Daily Form Time Literacy activities.
- Debate Mate enrichment programme as part of the Wade Deacon Experience.
- Fortnightly visits to the library as part of Accelerated Reader.
Reading at Home
Data shared from the National Literacy Trust shows that shared reading between parents or carers and their children can prove invaluable when it comes to developing both a love of reading and also improving ability.
Shared reading is proven to provide:
- A connection between parent and child from the very early days and helps build strong family ties.
- Lines from favourite stories to enter the family lexicon.
- More opportunities for discussion, developing empathy and attachment.
- The opportunity to be the best they can be: children who read for pleasure achieve in a wide range of subjects at school and it also positively impacts children’s wellbeing
Why not complete a quick PS:CSI activity with your child about a book or article which you have read together? Short bursts of shared reading are still incredibly valuable and are proven to help your child develop their reading skills.
Halton Library has a vast amount of books all available on your doorstep, visit Halton Libraries | Runcorn and Widnes Libraries (haltonbc.info) for information about attending the library with your child.
If you have any questions or would benefit from any advice about reading, strategies or if you would like to visit our school library, please contact Mr. Buxton.
Reading Support and Early Intervention
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader is an online site which monitors a student’s reading ability through interactive quizzes, testing and by linking their ability to a specific range of texts suitable for their reading age. Students will access one lesson of Accelerated Reader in the school library; this will be every two weeks during their English lessons. Students can also access AR at home and so can you!
All students in Year 7 have started Accelerated Reader in September 2022. Additionally, all students have their own personalised Reading Log which allows them to complete additional activities, record notes and write reviews of their chosen book.
Did you know …
According to the EEF (Education Endowment Fund), using Accelerated Reader can, on average, deliver an additional 6 months progress to students’ reading ability (this includes 3 months progress in reading comprehension). Therefore, if your child fully engages, we will expect reading ability to improve and a true love of reading to flourish!
STAR Reader Testing
All year groups are enrolled in Star Reader testing at Wade Deacon High School. This is an online testing programme which allows us to monitor and track our students’ reading ability, growth and also highlight the need for any interventions. Students are tested at different points throughout the year which allows teachers to continuously ensure that their lessons are tailored to their reading ability.
Should our students require any interventions, we have several intervention pathways which are available (including Lexia Power Up and Lexonik Vocabulary Booster. Students can complete intensive six week courses of each programme and be re-tested to monitor any changes.
Cross-Curricular Reading Strategies
From English to P.E, Statistics to Science, our whole school reading strategy is PS:CSI. This is a series of reading tasks which aim to help our students decipher texts and analyse key words (as well as developing their previous knowledge). PS:CSI can be used anywhere whilst our students are reading (at home or in school). To encourage your child to read, you can use the helpful guide to PS:CSI below and assist them in their understanding of words and language.
PS:CSI can be adapted for any subject. For example, if students are faced with a scenario or problem in Maths, their Prior Learning could be ‘What do I already know about this topic?’ or they could Summarise what they have done with previous problem-solving activities. PS:CSI is designed to be used for all reading activities and is something which everybody (teachers, parents and students) can use effectively.
Numeracy
What do we mean by numeracy?
Put simply, it is defined as the ability to solve everyday problems through the application of basic mathematical skills and understanding. An example may be when working out which is the best mobile phone deal, or the best package price with discount for a holiday, or the best mortgage deal over the course of its life.
These skills are more than just what is taught at GCSE, they are developed in the whole curriculum. The expected level of Numeracy skills in the newly reformed GCSE’s from Geography to Design Technology has increased, emphasising the importance of these skills across all subject areas.
Wade Deacon places importance on the development of these skills through cross curricular activities in subject areas, during SMSC days, tutor time and whole school activity days. Methods used across the school are developed to ensure they are consistent and students can make the links necessary to embed understanding.
Why is it important?
How can you support your child or develop your own numeracy?
