Literacy

Our Approach to Literacy: Grounded in the Science of Reading

At our school, we use explicit teaching to foster literacy skills in ways that are engaging, purposeful, and enjoyable for all learners. Our literacy lessons extend beyond reading and writing – they also foster essential speaking and listening skills, enabling children to become confident and capable communicators.

The Science of Reading guides us – a comprehensive, interdisciplinary body of research developed over the past five decades across the globe.

During the literacy block throughout the school you will find:

Daily Review – Consolidating previously taught skills to strengthen retention and automaticity.
Phonological and Phonemic Awareness – Developing children’s ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words.
Systematic Phonics Instruction – Explicitly teaching the relationships between letters and sounds.
Paired Reading – Providing regular opportunities for students to read aloud with partners to build fluency and confidence.
Morphology – Exploring word parts such as prefixes, suffixes, and roots to expand vocabulary and comprehension.
Syntax and Sentence Structure – Teaching how words are arranged in sentences to support reading and writing.
Decodable Texts – Ensuring students read books that align with their current phonics knowledge, promoting success and independence.
Oral Language and Vocabulary Development – Rich conversations and targeted vocabulary teaching to deepen understanding.
Handwriting letter formation, size, pencil grip, explicitly taught daily.

Assessment - Supporting Success in Literacy

At Bayfield, assessment plays a vital role - helping us understand each student’s progress, inform teaching decisions, and guide future learning. We see assessment as a powerful, ongoing process that supports every learner on their journey to literacy confidence and success.

A Purposeful Approach to Assessment

Our assessment strategy includes both formative and summative components, each designed to give meaningful insights into student learning.

Formative Assessment – Informing Daily Teaching

Formative assessment is used throughout every literacy lesson. It includes:

Teacher observations
Student work samples and notebooks
Quizzes and quick checks
Class discussions and targeted questioning

This continuous feedback loop allows teachers to adjust instruction in real time, respond to gaps in understanding, and ensure all students are supported to move forward.

Summative Assessment – Evaluating Progress Over Time

We use a range of summative tools to measure student achievement and track growth:

PAT Reading Comprehension (twice yearly), Reading Vocabulary and Punctuation & Grammar Tests – standardised tests used to identify long-term progress and areas for development.
End of Unit Tests - Used regularly to assess student understanding of recently taught concepts and knowledge and to inform any necessary reteaching.

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