We are committed to transforming the life chances of our students, and serving our communities means facing social and economic challenges head-on. Literacy is at the heart of our mission, and at the start of this academic year, 32.8% of our Year 7 students were functionally illiterate—a stark reality that required urgent action.
Over the past four months, our teams at Carlton Bolling and Carlton Keighley have implemented an ambitious and targeted approach to reading. The results have been extraordinary!:
- 141 students who could not read in September now have that skill for life.
- The number of students achieving the highest reading levels has increased by over 50%, allowing for greater challenge in the curriculum and more ambitious independent reading.
- Students who have completed at least one six-week round of Lexonik Leap—our phonics intervention for the weakest readers—have demonstrated an average of 25 months’ reading progress in just four months!
A Multi-Faceted Approach to Literacy
This success is the result of a carefully designed strategy involving cutting-edge programs, dedicated staff, and engaged students:
- Bedrock Learning: This platform, used as a homework resource, has driven massive literacy gains across the Trust.
- Lexonik Leap: A transformative phonics intervention that has reshaped the confidence and self-perception of our most vulnerable readers.
- Faster Reading Strategy: Refining our form-time reading program with strategies informed by internal research trials.
- Engagement & Rewards: Enhanced parental communications and rewards for students.
- Curriculum Enhancement: Our English teams have centred foundational literacy, vocabulary, and knowledge in their teaching.
Looking Ahead: Carlton Foundations
While the impact so far is undeniable, our work is far from over. Literacy is not a quick fix—it’s a long-term commitment. Building on our success, we are launching Carlton Foundations, a research-driven initiative focused on:
- Higher-level reading comprehension and fluency
- Advanced writing strategies, emphasising handwriting, structured thinking, and practice
- Oracy skills, ensuring students develop impactful communication skills
The brilliant progress made so far is a testament to the relentless dedication of our staff, students, and wider school community. We are determined to keep pushing forward, ensuring that every child has the literacy skills to unlock their full potential.
The sky is the limit for our young people!