Literacy & Communication
Communication is a skill we can all learn; however, at Marlborough we like to make communication key to everything we do.
Word of the Week
All staff and students are expected to know this and use it in lessons whenever possible. Tier two words are chosen to broaden our students’ vocabulary and to allow students a broader understanding of the English language. The Words of the Week are linked to our value, quotation, oracy and assembly focus. Words of the Week can be found in our school reception, on our digital signage screens and in the weekly Form PowerPoint that our tutor team deliver.
Quotation of the Week
Each week a quotation is chosen that links to the value and assembly focus of the week. The quotation is displayed across the school, referenced in assemblies and discussed during form time.
Oracy
Each week, during form time our students participate in an oracy task linked to our assembly, theme and quotation of the week. Oracy activities are also embedded in every aspect of our teaching and learning. Opportunites to discuss, question and debate ideas, theories and philosophies are built into lessons and oracy skills are taught and refined across our curriculum. Student voice matters at Marlborough, and our teachers design specific oracy activities to allow all young people the chance to find theirs.
Debate Club
As part of our broader emphasis on oracy and communication skills, we have an active Debate Club. Students meet regularly to challenge motions and build their discussion skills; the team regularly participates in local events, most notably the Rotary Club Debate Competition.
Reading Books
All students at Key Stage 3 are expected to have a reading book with them as part of their school equipment. Year 7 and 8 students regularly read during their English lessons and have a designated LRC lesson. Each form room also has a selection of novels that are age-appropriate and diverse in their genre and content.
Accelerated Reader
Our Accelerated Reader scheme is well established, and we continue to have amazing results! To date, our most impressive student increased their reading age by four years and six months. We aim to challenge all our readers to improve their understanding and reading ability. Students can access Accelerated Reader during their designated English lesson, in school during break and lunch, or on their Chromebooks.
Marking for Literacy
All staff use the marking for literacy symbols when marking to help students improve their spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, expression, paragraphing, use of capital letters and presentation.
Competitions and Enrichment
Each year we run a range of creative writing house competitions. We strive to give our students as many opportunities to be creative as possible.
We also hold creative showcases within the school where parents are invited to an audience with the students. These are often themed in their nature and can range from winter tales to Gothic chills!
BookFest
Every year we celebrate an extended Book Week. This usually takes place in early March to coincide with World Book Day. There are competitions, book fairs, Big Book Reads, author visits and literacy activities, as well as a Karaoke competition on Friday lunchtime to close the celebrations.
The Big Read
More information about The Big Read can be found in the LRC Section of the website. Our LRC team choose one book which all students, staff, parents/carers and governors are encouraged to read and discuss. This year we hope to develop this further with cross-curricular activities, competitions, lunchtime activities and author visits.
Book Awards
Each year students can shadow the St Albans School's Book Award, The Children's Book Award and The Carnegie Medal. This includes attending a discussion day with other local schools, creating artwork which is presented to the authors and taking part in competitions as well as, of course, reading some of the best new children's fiction available.
Morning Reading
We understand that for some students, reading can be a challenge. We carefully select a small group of Key Stage 3 students to read to a reading mentor every morning to help them to improve their reading and comprehension skills. Members of staff and Post 16 students volunteer to help students to enhance their learning, develop their love of literature and break down any reading barriers they may have.
‘The Mo’
Students at the school run and write their own magazine every half-term. The team are primarily part of the sixth form; however, the team are proud that all articles are written by the students for the students, and consequently, anybody can be involved.
Click here for more information about the LRC, and to view copies of our recommended reading lists for each year group.
