Literacy

“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. It is a tool for daily life in modern society. It is a bulwark against poverty, and a building block of development, an essential complement to investments in roads, dams, clinics and factories. Literacy is a platform for democratization, and a vehicle for the promotion of cultural and national identity. Especially for girls and women, it is an agent of family health and nutrition. For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right.... Literacy is, finally, the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential.” - Kofi Annan Secretary-General of the United Nations 1997 to 2006

Literacy is an essential life skill that contributes to well-being. It enables pupils to access the wider curriculum and the world of work as adults, achieve their potential and to take a full and active part in Society. it is a skill which develops confident communicators, efficient readers and writers and, when taught well, can foster positive attitudes and skills which supports lifelong learning.

At Woolwich Polytechnic, we achieve our Literacy Rationale by:

Providing oportunities for pupils to read and write everyday.
Ensuring access to a wide range of engaging texts and resources including digital, multicultural and bilingual sources and those that promote equalities.
Teaching and Modelling an extensive Vocabulary and giving opportunities for children to practise and craft their writing skills.
Planning engaging units of work from relevant skills documents with a balance of oracy, reading and writing opportunities.
Exploiting opportunities for children to talk and listen in a range of relevant and engaging contexts
Planning carefully to develop reading skills using agreed formats and using a range of questioning techniques.