Literacy
Literacy at Bolder
At Bolder Academy, we are committed to developing confident, capable readers and communicators. Our aim is to promote literacy skills for life across all Key Stages, enriching students with the reading, writing and oracy skills they need to succeed both at school and beyond. We strive to foster a lifelong love of reading through a curriculum that celebrates diverse texts and voices.
Guided Reading
Our form-time Guided Reading programme is designed to ensure that all students in KS3 and KS4 engage with ambitious, age-appropriate texts. Once a week, students read with their form tutor, sharing the experience of reading together while exploring vocabulary, themes, and key ideas. Texts have been carefully selected to challenge, interest and inspire students.
From September 2025, this programme is being extended to include Year 10 and Year 11, giving all students the opportunity to enjoy reading as part of their school experience, alongside their academic studies.
At KS5, the focus shifts to preparing students for more advanced reading. Students are supported in accessing academic and non-fiction texts, and developing reading strategies that will serve them well during their A Levels and any future studies.
Disciplinary Literacy
At Bolder, we know that literacy is most effective when embedded across the curriculum. All subjects are expected to incorporate literacy strategies into their teaching. Our Lead Practitioner for Literacy works closely with departments to ensure all teachers feel confident delivering proven strategies that support students in reading, writing and oracy.
We prioritise the explicit teaching of vocabulary, alongside reading strategies developed in Guided Reading, to help students access and express complex ideas. This enables students not just to understand new words, but to use them effectively in their written and spoken work.
Interventions and Support
Throughout their time at Bolder, students are regularly assessed using the STAR Reading test to establish their reading age. This allows teachers to plan appropriately and identify students who may need additional support.
A range of interventions are in place to meet the diverse needs of our students. These include support with phonics, decoding, comprehension, vocabulary and other reading needs. Students may receive short-term help to get back on track, or longer-term support tailored to their progress.
We also offer targeted support for students with English as an Additional Language. EAL students are assessed when they join the school and placed into intervention groups where needed. Their progress is reviewed regularly to ensure they are receiving the most appropriate support.
Enrichment Opportunities
At Bolder, literacy enrichment isn’t just an add-on — it’s woven into the fabric of school life, helping every student to become a confident, articulate and curious learner.
We are proud of the range of enrichment opportunities we provide to enhance students’ literacy skills and develop a love of reading, writing and communication. Through strong partnerships with local and national organisations, we offer students experiences that go beyond the classroom.
These include the annual Jack Petchey Speak Out! Challenge, run in collaboration with local schools, which gives students the chance to build confidence and develop public speaking skills. We also work with Sky to deliver literacy interventions aimed at improving reading and communication.
Every week, students are introduced to a ‘Word of the Week’, with House Points awarded for accurate and thoughtful use in lessons or homework. This initiative encourages ambitious vocabulary use and supports students in developing their oracy and writing.
Our school library plays a central role in our literacy provision. It is stocked with a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts, and students are encouraged to read for pleasure at home for at least 30 minutes a day. We believe this helps build confidence, boost academic progress, and foster a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.
