I’ve been teaching English for over 8 years now and have always been passionate about engendering a love of reading with all my students as I know how vital it is, both academically, but also on a social level.
I’ve taught in three different schools with a focus on Literacy and reading in all three.
In my first school, whilst training, I launched a student newspaper which became more successful than I could have imagined – we had visiting local newspaper journalists to deliver workshops, we went on a school trip to the local BBC radio station and took part in BBC School Report, in which the whole school watched our news report.
In my second school, which was an all through Primary and Secondary, I became the Literacy Lead for Secondary phase but also worked closely with the Primary phase and even ran a workshop with Year 6 and Year 8 students working together to produce a piece of writing. I introduced some whole school initiatives and again launched a student newspaper.
In my third and current school, I started as ‘Reading Ambassador’ (best job title ever, right?!) My main role was to launch a whole school Tutor Reading Programme which has been phenomenally successful in contributing towards the significant improvement in students’ reading ages. I’ve also introduced whole school initiatives including staff displaying ‘I am Reading’ posters on classroom doors, extending DEAR time and Accelerated Reader to include Year 9 & 10 (previously only Year 7 & 8)and leading a whole school Literary Festival (one of the most stressful weeks of my life, but certainly worth it!)
My role has now developed into whole school Literacy Co-ordinator which is giving me the opportunity to make a real impact in embedding literacy throughout the curriculum – something I’m extremely passionate about.
One of the major barriers that I know I will face, is convincing staff that Literacy isn’t “just for English teachers”, a problem that even the Education Endowment Foundation have recognised.
This blog is designed to chart my journey as Literacy Co-ordinator and to offer guidance and support along the way. I’m well known for my motto which I live by – sharing is caring!
Leading Literacy 