Introduction to the Subject Leaders

We are Mrs Roberts (Y2 Rockets teacher and assistant head) and Mrs Wood (headteacher) and we share the leadership of literacy. 

Mrs Wood

I have been an avid reader since being a small child and I love children's books and still can't stop buying them even though I no longer have my own class to teach! I've been literacy subject leader in other schools, a "leading literacy teacher" for the education authority years ago (Mrs Roberts was too - that's when I first met her!) and I worked for the education authority for as few years as a literacy consultant, training and supporting teachers and schools in the teaching of reading and writing. I still very much enjoy helping to lead literacy. I'm passionate about children loving reading and writing because it opens up a whole world to them and is the bedrock of the curriculum. I tend to focus more on Key Stage 2 literacy as, when I was a class teacher, I mostly taught in that Key Stage so that's where most of my skills lie. 

Mrs Roberts

My favourite thing to do is to introduce new and exciting books to our children. 

The more that you read

The more things you will know.

The more that you learn,

The more places you'll go.

Dr Seuss

At St Paul's reading and developing a love of language is held at the very heart of our curriculum. I am passionate about vocabulary and using the highest quality texts across our curriculum to drive our standards. I want children to leave our school being fluent and avid readers. I love teaching, especially in Key Stage 1 as we really believe in the magic of books. My own children help to keep me current and we are always looking for new and interesting books to read (particularly for my son who is a reluctant reader). My literacy journey has involved being a Leading Literacy Teacher for Lancashire and more recently, a KS1 moderator where I loved going out to other schools to moderate teacher assessment judgements. I have taught all year groups from EYFS right up to Y6.  I am proud of our highly skilled and enthusiastic staff team at St Paul's and I think our children work so hard. All our staff have been trained in the 'TALK programmes' and our curriculum here at St Paul's is exciting and aspirational.

Promoting Literacy Across The School Year

During the Autumn term, we take the whole school to the theatre. Seeing a live performance is always exciting for our children.

Children in KS1 perform in our Christmas shows - we promote language and speaking and listening as we enjoy celebrating and retelling the birth of Jesus Christ. 

In the Spring Term, we celebrate World Book Day. We have had various focuses over the years and it is always a special time for our whole school community to come together to celebrate the wonderful world of books!

Towards the end of the Summer term, children in Upper Key Stage 2 perform their end of year play. Year 6 children take the lead and it is a always a joy to see our children perform with such clarity and confidence. 

Throughout the year, we invite parents to 'Meet the Teacher' - we use these sessions to promote reading and phonics. 

We invite visitors to our Collective Worship and our children actively participate in worship, promoting oracy and speaking and listening.