Literacy and Numeracy Strategy Review (2025–2028)

At Holsworthy Community College, we believe that strong literacy and numeracy skills are the foundation of every student’s success. Our Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (2025–2028) ensures that all learners - particularly those in Key Stage 3 - receive targeted, high-quality support to build confidence, close gaps, and achieve their full potential.

Through personalised interventions, inclusive teaching, and continuous review, we aim to equip every student with the essential skills needed for lifelong learning and success.

Overview

At Holsworthy Community College, we are committed to ensuring that all students — particularly those in Key Stage 3 — develop strong foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

Our Literacy and Numeracy Strategy outlines our current approach to catch-up provision, which is continuously reviewed and adapted in response to student needs and the latest educational research.

Identification of Students for Catch-Up Support

We identify students who may benefit from additional literacy and numeracy support using:

• Transition information from primary schools, including KS2 data and SEND profiles

• Reading age scores

• Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT) scores

• In-class assessment data

Catch-Up Curriculum Design

A tailored curriculum operates across Years 7, 8, and 9, focusing on literacy and numeracy development through small-group intervention.

Students access high-quality digital tools such as:

• Lexia for literacy support

• Sparx Maths for numeracy support

Sessions are delivered in smaller groups with enhanced adult support, involving:

• A dedicated English teacher

• A Teaching Assistant for consistent monitoring and guidance

Monitoring and Review

• Student progress is regularly assessed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.

• Movement in and out of the catch-up curriculum remains flexible and responsive to individual progress.

Inclusive Classroom Support

For students who do not require direct intervention:

• All teaching staff are made aware of current literacy and numeracy levels.

• Quality First Teaching ensures that lessons are inclusive and differentiated.

• Short-term extraction sessions are used to address specific learning gaps as needed.

Ongoing Development

This strategy is a dynamic and evolving approach. We continue to:

• Adapt our provision based on the latest educational research

• Collaborate with staff and external partners to refine our approach

• Monitor the impact of interventions to ensure effectiveness and relevance

Commitment

We are dedicated to ensuring that every student at Holsworthy Community College develops the literacy and numeracy skills needed to:

• Access the full curriculum

• Achieve their potential

• Succeed in life beyond school