Ofsted calls for teachers to focus on literacy across all subjects

Secondary schools need to review “urgently” their teaching of literacy across the curriculum, according to a report from Ofsted.

The study, which looked at examples of best practice teaching in seven schools around the country, expressed concern about “quick-fix” solutions and a general ambivalence among teachers for on-the-job training in the teaching of reading and writing.

It found that good practice included long-term planning, with active, consistent and sustained support from heads and senior leaders.

Literacy should feature across all subjects, with schools drawing on the specialist knowledge of staff members to support individuals and departments where this might be proving problematic.

The study, Improving Standards in Literacy: A shared responsibility, said those schools teaching literacy effectively identified good practice across the curriculum and encouraged staff to learn from each other.