Literacy across learning in secondary schools

Published 01/01/2017.  Last updated 28/04/2026
sourceLearning resources schoolLanguages

This resource contains ‘Reading’, ‘Listening and Talking’ and ‘Writing’ sections. Each section of the resource includes reflective questions for practitioners or groups of practitioners to use to develop self-evaluation and inform planning.

The resource outlines teaching and learning approaches to support literacy teaching in the classroom. These can be downloaded as PDF documents.

The resource can be used to support individual and whole-school career-long professional learning (CLPL).

Introduction video

An informative PowerPoint with voice over introduces the resource and explains how to use it. It offers clear links to the key documentation linked to literacy across learning including Building the Curriculum 1 and 3-18 Literacy and English Review as well as highlighting the core skills required to improve literacy across all subjects.

leadership and professional learning

The leadership and professional learning section offers advice for strategic leaders and supports professional learning.

The case study demonstrates an effective approach to literacy across learning in one school.

This resource can be used in sections at INSET or at department meetings to explore literacy across learning in curricular areas. It can also be used in its entirety as a means of checking on progress and next steps for departments as they work on literacy across learning.

Listening and talking

Listening and talking (PDF, 360KB) and the Listening and talking diagram (PDF, 121KB) identify areas of focus for:

  • active listening
  • group discussions
  • individual talk

Guidance is given on assessment and effective feedback.

Reading

Reading (PDF, 111KB) strategies support learners to read using higher order skills and:

  • analyse and evaluate new information
  • synthesise ideas and apply learning in unfamiliar contexts, with increasing independence
  • develop critical literacy skills, including the ability to distinguish between fact and opinion
  • recognise persuasive language and evaluate the reliability and relevance of sources

There is also practical advice on choosing appropriate texts of the correct level of challenge and supporting learners as they access these texts.

Writing

Writing (PDF, 261KB) and Writing: support documents (Zip, 1.24MB) support:

  • type and purpose of the writing
  • agreed criteria for success (differentiated to meet the needs of all learners and build on prior learning)
  • support for planning
  • opportunities for individual or peer evaluation
  • time for learners to review and edit their writing
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Literacy across learning in secondary schools

Published 01/01/2017.  Last updated 28/04/2026
sourceLearning resources schoolLanguages

This resource contains ‘Reading’, ‘Listening and Talking’ and ‘Writing’ sections. Each section of the resource includes reflective questions for practitioners or groups of practitioners to use to develop self-evaluation and inform planning.

The resource outlines teaching and learning approaches to support literacy teaching in the classroom. These can be downloaded as PDF documents.

The resource can be used to support individual and whole-school career-long professional learning (CLPL).

Introduction video

An informative PowerPoint with voice over introduces the resource and explains how to use it. It offers clear links to the key documentation linked to literacy across learning including Building the Curriculum 1 and 3-18 Literacy and English Review as well as highlighting the core skills required to improve literacy across all subjects.

leadership and professional learning

The leadership and professional learning section offers advice for strategic leaders and supports professional learning.

The case study demonstrates an effective approach to literacy across learning in one school.

This resource can be used in sections at INSET or at department meetings to explore literacy across learning in curricular areas. It can also be used in its entirety as a means of checking on progress and next steps for departments as they work on literacy across learning.

Listening and talking

Listening and talking (PDF, 360KB) and the Listening and talking diagram (PDF, 121KB) identify areas of focus for:

  • active listening
  • group discussions
  • individual talk

Guidance is given on assessment and effective feedback.

Reading

Reading (PDF, 111KB) strategies support learners to read using higher order skills and:

  • analyse and evaluate new information
  • synthesise ideas and apply learning in unfamiliar contexts, with increasing independence
  • develop critical literacy skills, including the ability to distinguish between fact and opinion
  • recognise persuasive language and evaluate the reliability and relevance of sources

There is also practical advice on choosing appropriate texts of the correct level of challenge and supporting learners as they access these texts.

Writing

Writing (PDF, 261KB) and Writing: support documents (Zip, 1.24MB) support:

  • type and purpose of the writing
  • agreed criteria for success (differentiated to meet the needs of all learners and build on prior learning)
  • support for planning
  • opportunities for individual or peer evaluation
  • time for learners to review and edit their writing
^ Back to top