Shirebrook Academy

Welcome to Literacy

Literacy is crucial for success in every subject in school, the wider learning community and every aspect of life.
So, what is Literacy and how is it addressed and delivered at Shirebrook Academy?
Literacy is being able to read and access a variety of different texts; from recipes to directions to text messages to novels. It is being able to communicate effectively and accurately both in oral and written forms. Ultimately, Literacy is the key to success and empowers every individual to achieve their academic and personal goals in life!
Here at Shirebrook Academy, we believe that delivering and embedding necessary Literacy skills is the responsibility of every member of staff – across the curriculum. Furthermore, it is for the students themselves to ensure they are proactive and take responsibility for their own learning and literacy development, with guidance from staff of course.

Literacy at Shirebrook Academy includes:
• A Literacy checklist for Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening
• Literacy Focus of the month – key words and terminology delivered via starters and plenaries
• Literacy mats – this is currently being trialed in English and Humanities
• The Renaissance Reading Project
• Move4words – Literacy through movement
• Literacy Apprentices – students specifically selected to raise awareness of Literacy across the school and support those less able students
• Literacy Mascot and school logo – designed and promoted by the students
• Literacy Newsletter – run by a team of students
• Improved transition with a Literacy focus

Literacy Week 2011

This week has been the launch of Literacy at Shirebrook Academy. It has been a real success with the week beginning with a Character Costume day, which saw all members of staff dressing up as their favourite character from a novel. As it was the start to a new half term, it was a real focal point for both staff and students and really saw the launch get off to an unusual, yet inspiring start!
Other exciting events have included, the Academy’s literacy coordinator attending every year group’s assembly with an array of explosive and thought provoking material which included, a short presentation detailing the importance of literacy to every single student, a DVD which had been created and edited by students and Year 10 girls dancing to the literacy launch theme tune of the all inspiring Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’.
Students have indulged in other activities such as the Spelling Challenge, Read Around Great Britain and the innovative creation of a literacy wall where students write on their own brick detailing why literacy is so fundamental to their future prospects and success. Furthermore, literacy cookies have been on sale in the diner and available to all those who wished to digest the theme of the week. All departments have ensured that they have promoted literacy through their own subject and demonstrated how it is relevant to every aspect of the curriculum.
Overall, the week has been a tremendous success and has been thoroughly enjoyed by everyone at the Academy. We now are looking to the future and feel an immense amount of positivity towards working alongside students to help them continue to realize their potential in literacy for their future life prospects.