Literacy & Oracy

Literacy at Aureus

At Aureus, all members of teaching and support staff work tirelessly to help students become good readers and writers, able to read with comprehension and fluency, and able to write with creativity and accuracy. In lessons throughout the curriculum, students read challenging texts that will push them to improve their reading skills, and are supported with writing tasks to help them write with clarity and cohesion. We also give personalised support for students who have found reading or writing challenging before they come to Aureus. The teaching, support and library staff at Aureus try hard to promote reading by sharing our own enthusiasm for reading: we see reading as not only a vital life skill, but a great way to relax and explore the world.

 

Literacy in lessons

• At Aureus, we are introducing an exciting new approach to academic reading across the curriculum, in which students are supported to read and understand challenging texts that help them improve their reading as they gather knowledge.
   
• Students are supported to improve their writing skills in lessons across the curriculum, with activities that break the writing process into stages, and that helps students learn new vocabulary.

Support for Literacy

• If students arrive at Aureus struggling with their literacy, we provide support to help them catch up. Students will be given extra support with help from teachers and teaching assistants during lessons, and also through dedicated sessions in Aureus Pathways. We use a range of techniques and resources to help students improve their reading writing, and give students the specific support that helps them overcome their barriers to good literacy.

Our Library

• Our library is stocked with a range of great fiction and non-fiction for all ages and tastes. Our range is being continuously updated and improved to include the most exciting new children’s and YA fiction, and in response to the request of our students. Students across the school spend time in the library at break and lunchtime, and for years 7 and 8, during scheduled library lessons, in which we try to foster the habit of library attendance.

Oracy at Aureus

• Speaking clearly and confidently supports good literacy, and at Aureus, we encourage good oracy in both lessons and in clubs and activities. In the English department, we help students to express their own opinions, and our Youth Speaks debating team gives students the opportunity to practice formal speaking.

 

Students with English as an Additional Language

• At Aureus, lessons are designed to support all learners, regardless of prior experience with the English Language. We recognise that some students will need additional support in school to access the curriculum. We invest in staff and resources to allow students to have intensive language tuition if necessary.

 

Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)

At Aureus, we want to encourage reading to become a habit for all students and they will be given the opportunity to read their own books every day.

At the start of period 3, just after morning break, every class across the school will run DEAR time, where students and teachers Drop Everything and Read for 10 minutes. Students in all year groups need to have a book in their bags every day to read. Students can get help to choose and find a book to read by talking to our librarian, Miss Hope, or anyone in the English team.