Literacy

At Islwyn High School, we believe that literacy is the foundation for success across all areas of learning and life. We are committed to developing confident, independent readers and writers who have the skills and knowledge to thrive in every subject and beyond the classroom.

Every child at Islwyn High has a personal reading book and dedicated time during the school day to read for pleasure. Our fantastically stocked school library offers something for every reader, and through our Accelerated Reader programme, we track progress, celebrate achievement, and help students develop a genuine love of reading. By providing tailored book recommendations and regular reading opportunities, we aim to develop confident, independent readers who read widely and often.

We prioritise spelling development across Key Stage 3, encouraging all learners to master our '100 Core Spellings' - high-frequency words that unlock greater confidence and accuracy in writing. Through targeted spelling lessons and regular practice, we ensure that students build a secure foundation in spelling patterns and conventions.

For learners who would benefit from additional support in a smaller group setting, we provide a range of carefully designed literacy interventions. These include Fresh Start and Guided Reading programmes, which focus on closing literacy gaps and building essential reading, writing, and comprehension skills. Our intervention work ensures that every student receives the support they need to make progress and achieve their potential.