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Description

Literacy Skills for Secondary is a practical course designed to support educators and mentors working with secondary school students who experience difficulties with reading and writing. The course focuses on developing key strategies to build learners’ decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills, using evidence-based approaches tailored to the needs of older students. Participants are introduced to a range of tools and techniques, including the use of Elkonin boxes, structured phonics, and guided reading strategies. The course also explores how to identify literacy barriers, support reluctant readers, and foster reading confidence and independence. Emphasis is placed on creating inclusive learning environments that enable students to access the secondary curriculum more effectively. Through practical activities, case studies, and collaborative learning, attendees gain the skills and confidence needed to deliver targeted literacy support. This course is ideal for teaching assistants, literacy mentors, and educators seeking to boost secondary students' reading and writing outcomes.

 

Why should I attend? 

Delegates that attend the Literacy Skills for Secondary course will gain the practical knowledge and tools needed to effectively support secondary-aged students who struggle with reading and writing. Literacy difficulties can significantly impact a young person’s confidence, engagement, and access to the wider curriculum. This course equips literacy mentors, and support staff with evidence-based strategies to address those challenges, including phonics-based interventions, comprehension support, and techniques to develop fluency and vocabulary. Attendees will learn how to identify specific literacy barriers and adapt their support to meet individual needs. By attending, participants can enhance their ability to make a real difference in students’ progress, helping them build essential literacy skills that unlock academic and personal potential. The course also offers a valuable opportunity to network with others in similar roles, share best practice, and reflect on current approaches. It's an ideal step for anyone committed to improving literacy outcomes in secondary education.

What will the course cover? 

The Literacy Skills for Secondary course covers a range of practical and evidence-based approaches to support students with literacy difficulties at the secondary level. Key areas include:

• Understanding Literacy Challenges: Identifying common reading and writing difficulties in older students and understanding their impact on learning.
• Phonics and Decoding: Using structured phonics approaches, including tools like Elkonin boxes, to support decoding and word recognition.
• Reading Fluency and Comprehension: Strategies to improve fluency, develop vocabulary, and enhance understanding of texts.
• Supporting Writing Skills: Techniques to help students organise ideas, develop sentence structure, and build confidence in written expression.
• Inclusive Practice: Adapting support to meet diverse learning needs and creating literacy-friendly environments.
• Assessment and Progress Monitoring: Tools to track student progress and inform targeted intervention.
• Practical Application: Case studies, modelling, and opportunities for hands-on practice.
• The course blends theory with practical tools to use immediately in school settings.

Who should attend?

• Teaching and Learning Support Assistants

 

Contact information 

For specific enquiries about this course, please contact Louise.Harding@bdsip.co.uk  

For general booking or CPD enquiries please contact CPDEvents@bdsip.co.uk  

Cancellation Policy

• No refund will be received for places cancelled within 5 working days of the session.​
• Schools will receive a 50% refund for places cancelled within 10 working days of the session.

Terms and Conditions