Literacy

At Harris Garrard Academy we understand how important good literacy is for your child's development and life choices.  

Developing skills in literacy is about learning to use language to express, explore and communicate our thoughts, ideas and feelings with others. We do this through speaking, listening, reading and writing, and getting better at literacy means making progress in each of these areas. 

We owe it to our students to give them the very best literacy skills in order to improve their chances in life, and to enable them to succeed in whatever path they choose. We adopt a cross-curricular focus to promoting good literacy amongst our pupils and staff. We believe that promoting literacy is a whole academy responsibility and not just that of the English department. We also invite you to join us in developing your child's literacy at home.   

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Drop Everything and Read

At the start of the school day, every student and member of staff stops what they are doing and read for 20 minutes. It's called Drop Everything and Read time.

“For a few minutes after tutor time the whole Academy, staff as well as students, will drop everything and read to encourage reading for pleasure,” said Executive Principal Chris Everitt.

Reading and literacy skills are the key to learning and pleasure. They open doors and allow our students to access all aspects of the curriculum, whilst improving oracy, communication and problem-solving skills.

Download our literacy policy from our Teaching and Learning page.