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Research

Literacy for Learning: Improving literacy in secondary schools

Added 21 Apr 2023 | Updated 21 Mar 24

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About Literacy for Learning

Literacy for Learning is the National Literacy Trust’s secondary-school improvement programme. Recognising that literacy is one of the greatest barriers to social mobility and equality, the programme provides professional development and training to secondary teachers to mobilise the effective teaching of literacy within their subjects, as a key lever to improving educational outcomes for all students. This report explores how change was achieved in the following areas:

  • Driving systemic change
  • Supporting behavioural change
  • Building a community of practice
  • COVID-19 response

Key findings:

  • A sustained programme of CPD training for teachers over a period of time increased opportunities to embed approaches to literacy
  • Teachers said that specific training on literacy, including subject- specific disciplinary literacy had improved their confidence and understanding to put into practice what they had learnt
  • Teachers welcomed the practical strategies that they could take into their classroom and share with other colleagues
  • There was a noted improvement in attitudes to literacy as students saw how it was relevant in different subjects

To find out more about our support for secondary school improvement please email nisha.tank@literacytrust.org.uk or visit our secondary training page.

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