Literacy

Literacy Across the Curriculum

At Cullompton Community College we believe that literacy is essential. The ability to read fluently and with confidence, writers who are academic and expert, and oracy which is full of clarity. We believe that expanding a child’s vocabulary is crucial to this. Literacy is vital for every one of our curriculum subjects. It has been estimated that to access an undergraduate degree course, students need a vocabulary of 43 000 or more words. All our students should have this as an option, being able to connect language with key subject vocabulary.  

Every subject embeds reading into most lessons and all students are taught the vocabulary they need to succeed in that subject.  This vocabulary increases in complexity over time.  Vocabulary is divided into 3 tiers: 

  • Tier 1 – high frequency in spoken language (table, slowly, write, horrible) 

  • Tier 2 – high frequency in written texts (gregarious, beneficial, required, maintain) 

  • Tier 3 – subject specific, academic language (osmosis, trigonometry, onomatopoeia) 

We Love Reading

As Mark Twain put it: “A person who does not read has no advantage over someone who cannot read.”

Sparx Reader - At Key Stage Three all students have a Sparx reading homework once a week. Sparx Reader is an online reading platform that helps students to practise reading regularly, to set them up for success at secondary school and in life beyond. 

Library Lessons – At Key Stage Three, all students have a library lesson once a fortnight. This helps our students to select their books for reading at home, have advice on new and exciting releases and to have support with their reading.  

Tutor Time Reading – Years 7 to 10 read twice a week within their tutor time. Every year group reads 3 books across the academic year. These books are carefully selected to support students’ personal development and values. These books help our students learn about different cultures, explore big ideas, and talk about important topics like war, discrimination, and freedom.  

The CCC Canon (16 before 16) - Our literary canon is a collection of texts that hold significant value—both in their writing style and the powerful messages they convey. 

The Faster Reading Programme – As part of their English lessons, within year 7 and 8, all of our students experience the chance to read as a whole class with a focus on comprehension, not analysis. Students need to practise comprehension of a longer, continuous and challenging text intensively.  

The Library - Our library is very well-stocked and our librarian supremely knowledgeable; students are always encouraged to choose a book to borrow and join a library-based club. We also have a number of student librarians who support the work of our library and encourage others to read for enjoyment.  

How Parents Can Help

  • Talk about what  you’re reading (especially Sparx books). Remind them that reading is fun as it opens doors and allows you to imagine new and different worlds and places.  

  • Help your child to choose their books: there is a wealth of books available for reading for enjoyment. Help them to explore different characters and places, or to explore key ideas. If you are not sure, please direct them to our college librarian who will support and guide their choices.  

  • Read aloud to people at home: This doesn’t need to stop at Primary School. Encourage your child with their reading by listening to them a few times a week.  

  • Try different types of reading: novels, blogs, newspapers, biographies.