Treloar School marks International Literacy Day

To mark International Literacy Day our School assembly last week addressed the theme of What does a literacy learning space look like?

International Literacy Day, designated by UNESCO in 1967, is an annual awareness day which marks the importance of literacy to all countries and cultures. It takes place annually on the 8th of September. Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world. (https://literacytrust.org.uk/information/what-is-literacy/)

This year’s International Literacy Day adopted the theme Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces to provide an opportunity to rethink the fundamental importance of literacy learning spaces in order to ensure quality, equitable and inclusive education for all.

Head teacher Lisa Bond said:

At Treloar School, we recognise the importance of extending definitions of reading in the 21st century which reflects the needs of our learners. To develop an enjoyment in reading which supports their reading skills in preparation for adulthood. We want our learners to confidently engage with reading in all formats and in the wider environment. We want them to understand the contribution reading makes to knowledge, well-being and curiosity. Through our approach to reading, we will nurture self-esteem and confidence.

Our ambition is that we offer opportunities to share, explore, examine and contextualise what learners have read, developing their passion for reading and the potential for using reading skills in every-day life.

During the special assembly, our students were invited to design their ideal literacy learning space. They shared ideas in their tutor groups: some groups making posters, some drawing pictures and some typing up their ideas on ipads.

Head Teacher, Lisa, started the discussion by sharing photos of learning spaces and our students were very quick to point out that the space needs to be big enough for their wheelchairs with plenty of space for everyone.

Leon, suggested a space with different areas for different age groups. He liked the idea of a wall mural, perhaps showing favourite characters from stories. He would like the room to be a modern space, with bean bags and a section for comic books.

Jamie also suggested bean bags and posters of words on the wall. Jemima requested words of encouragement on the walls.

The choice of colour was hotly debated with Jamie opting for Treloar’s green, Elodie suggested pink floors with brightly coloured walls and Ella chose a purple carpet.

A common theme was that the students would like space to get out of their wheel chairs and relax on bean bags or sofas. Elodie would like to have access to audio books and Carmen would like to watch movies. Lisa Cull’s, KS3 class suggested stories on switches, audio books and walls decorated with forest imagery so you might feel like you were reading in a forest. They were thinking about how stories can be accessible to everyone. Our School values are to be inclusive and help everyone join in.

Daisy requested a private, quiet area to read. Our students have busy timetables at Treloar’s, and it’s a good reminder that everyone needs some quiet time and space to be on their own from time to time.

All the student’s ideas will be collected together and used to help shape the Literacy Curriculum moving forward. One thing’s for sure, our students have a clear view of what’s important to them to make learning spaces inclusive for everyone.