Secondary training
Literacy for Learning is a secondary school improvement programme, providing professional development for school leaders and teachers on literacy within the curriculum. Our training is aligned with evaluation and research from the Education Endowment Foundation and emphasises the practical application of research in the classroom.
Our training offer includes:
- Scheduled live online ticketed events. Please note that we do not record these events
- Live online group or whole-school training on request
- Face-to-face group or whole-school training on request
Enquiries
- For all ticketed events contact Kate Warde, Conferences and Events Manager
- For all group or whole-school training enquiries contact Nisha Tank, Programme Manager, School Improvement
Training events summer 2022 - spring 2023
You will find a range of literacy pathways below. Each pathway suggests a sequence of courses to build skills and understanding for a specific literacy priority. The courses in the pathway can be purchased as either a scheduled ticketed course or as a group booking on a date that suits you.
Explore our literacy training pathways

This pathway introduces the key concepts of disciplinary literacy and practical strategies for application within the curriculum.
It is suitable for:
- Secondary literacy leaders who are new to or developing in role
- Secondary practitioners, who are new to or beginning to develop their understanding of disciplinary literacy
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What is disciplinary literacy?
New to, or developing your understanding of the concept of disciplinary literacy? This course introduces the concept and explores practical classroom strategies.Find out about disciplinary literacy -
Reading for learning
Explore disciplinary reading, active reading strategies, and how to support struggling and EAL learners.Find out about Reading for learning -
Disciplinary literacy for GCSE
Explore how subject teachers can support students to develop the literacy skills needed within subject disciplines.Find out about Disciplinary literacy for GCSE

This pathway deepens understanding of the literacy requirements in subject areas.
It is suitable for:
- Secondary subject leaders and practitioners
- Literacy leaders, who may be supporting a subject area
- Line managers of subject areas
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Developing literacy in mathematics
Explore the role of academic language and literacy in the secondary mathematics curriculum, and how to promote ways of developing talk, reading and writing in this subject.Find out about Developing literacy in mathematics -
Developing literacy in science
Using evidence from research and theory, this course investigates effective literacy strategies for teaching and learning in science.Find out about Developing literacy in science -
Developing literacy in English
Explore the use of reading strategies to support active reading of fiction, non-fiction and 19th century literary texts.Find out about Developing literacy in English -
Developing literacy in geography
Learn how to make reading in geography interactive, improve extended writing and help students unpack exam questions.Find out about Developing literacy in geography -
Developing literacy in history
Explore the role of academic language and literacy in the secondary history curriculum, and how to promote ways of developing talk, reading and writing in this subject.Find out about Developing literacy in history

This pathway is aimed at schools and practitioners who have identified reading as a priority.
It is suitable for:
- Secondary practitioners from all subject areas
- Literacy leaders developing whole-school practice in reading
- Librarians, who want to improve their understanding of how reading can support the development of students' literacy within the curriculum
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Building vocabulary within the secondary curriculum
Examine the role of academic language in the secondary curriculum and promote ways of teaching different tiers of vocabulary in a range of subjects.Find out about Building vocabulary -
Reading for learning
Explore disciplinary reading, active reading strategies, and how to support struggling and EAL learners.Find out about Reading for learning -
Reading for pleasure
Explore ideas around reading motivation, the use of digital reading platforms and the importance of valuing and promoting all types of wider reading.Find out about Reading for pleasure

This pathway is aimed at practitioners and schools, that have identified improving writing as a priority.
It is suitable for:
- Secondary practitioners with extended writing in their subject
- Literacy leaders, who are supporting departments with developing students’ writing in a subject, or subjects
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Improving writing in secondary subjects
This professional development programme is for teachers of subjects with extended writing supported by literacy leaders.Find out about Improving writing -
Developing narrative and descriptive writing in English
Access a new toolbox of techniques to support students’ creative writing.Find out about Developing narrative and descriptive writing
Secondary school conference: Reading Within the Curriculum
Develop students’ skills and enjoyment of reading to support academic progress, well-being and social mobility with our secondary school conference in Greater Manchester. Hear from leading professionals in their field about supporting the learning of children from all backgrounds.
Conference details
- 9.30am - 3.30pm, Thursday 30 June 2022
- In person at Buile Hill Park Hall, Salford, Greater Manchester
Book now with our early-bird ticket price: £70. Full-price tickets: £100