Literacy in Every Classroom | Secondary 2025-26
Strong literacy underpins success in every subject. This one-day course supports all teachers in responding to the new Ofsted inspection toolkit and curriculum review, with a focus on practical strategies that make a real difference in classrooms.
Participants will explore the latest evidence on effective reading, writing, oracy and vocabulary instruction, and examine how literacy development connects to disciplinary knowledge in their own subjects. The course balances research with hands-on examples, helping teachers identify and address the specific literacy demands of their curriculum area.
Throughout the day, participants will have guided time to plan how to integrate and sustain these approaches within their school context. Whether you teach English, science, or art, this course will help you build pupils’ confidence and independence as readers, writers, and communicators—embedding literacy as a shared responsibility across the whole school.
This session will be held at Sandringham School as follows:
- Friday, 12th June 2026 – 09:00-15:15, refreshments and lunch included
Who is this course for?
Teachers and leaders of all subjects in secondary schools.
Outline for the day
| Time | Session | Focus |
| 8:45 – 9:00 | Arrival, Tea & Coffee | Informal welcome and networking. |
| 9:00 – 9:15 | Welcome & Introduction | Setting the scene: why literacy matters across subjects. |
| 9:15 – 10:15 | The Big Picture: Literacy in Secondary Schools | Research evidence; Ofsted, curriculum review and national priorities; disciplinary approaches; exploring common barriers to literacy. |
| 10:15 – 10:30 | Break | |
| 10:30 – 11:30 | Reading | Reading complex texts; adaptable classroom strategies. |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Writing | Case studies from different subjects; writing in disciplinary forms; vocabulary instruction. |
| 12:30 – 1:00 | Lunch | will be provided |
| 1:00 – 2:00 | Oracy | Practical strategies to increase opportunities for talk in the classroom. |
| 2:00 – 3:00 | Implementation Planning Workshop | Dedicated time to apply strategies to own school context; drafting an action plan. |
| 3:00 – 3:15 | Plenary & Next Steps | Sharing key insights; signposting further resources and networks, evaluation. |
Meet the facilitator
Annabel Brown
Annabel Brown is a former EEF Research School Director and now works as a Facilitator with Alban Teaching School Hub and a Literacy Specialist with New Wave English Hub. She has extensive experience supporting schools to embed evidence-informed practice and improve outcomes through sustainable approaches to teaching and learning.
A Senior English Adviser and experienced classroom teacher, Annabel brings expertise in curriculum design, coaching, and professional development. Drawing on her background as an Assistant Headteacher, she supports schools to strengthen whole-school improvement, disciplinary literacy, and reading fluency – helping teachers develop strategic, research-informed approaches that make a measurable impact on pupils’ learning.
Karen Taylor-Paul FCCT FRSA is the Director of the Alban Teaching School Hub which oversees outstanding professional development for teachers at all stages of their careers across over 300 schools in Hertfordshire. Her teaching background is in secondary Music and Creative Arts teaching and senior leadership but her work now encompasses system leadership across all school phases from Initial Teacher Training through to Executive Leader development. Karen’s work aligns with the DfE Recruitment and Retention remit for Teaching School Hubs and also promotes the work of curriculum hubs to ensure school leaders are providing the best professional development opportunities for their colleagues.
Dan Smith
With 14 years experience, Leanne is a dedicated primary school teacher specialising in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. She currently works across both primary and secondary education settings and holds qualified SENCO accreditation. Leanne also has a strong background in leading Music and Physical Education within the primary setting. She is passionate about integrating the arts into her teaching to enhance engagement and learning outcomes.
