All teachers are teachers of literacy. As such, the staff of BCCCS are committed to developing literacy skills in all of our students, in the belief that it will support their learning and raise standards across the curriculum, because:

Language is the prime medium through which students learn and express themselves across the curriculum, and all teachers have a stake in effective literacy.

In all subjects across the curriculum, students should be given opportunities to express themselves through language in the media of the written and spoken word.

In all subjects across the curriculum, students should be encouraged to speak and write with good grammar, to develop their vocabulary, and to write with correct spelling.

We seek to teach students to use language precisely and coherently. They should be able to listen to others, and to respond and build on their ideas and views constructively.

groups and in the whole class. These strategies include: using talking to develop and clarify ideas, identifying the main points to arise from a discussion, listening for a specific purpose, and discussion and evaluation.

the increasing demands of subjects in terms of specific skills, knowledge and understanding. This applies particularly in the area of reading (including from the screen), as texts become more demanding.