Our Friday Faculty Foci at the end of last week was led by our inspirational Lead Practitioner Mr Johnson, whose own passion for all things literacy really shone through. We all know and understand that literacy skills underpin all learning and form the bedrock of achievement across all subjects. Mr Johnson outlined the importance of the Word of the Week and the outstanding resources provided to Character Development Coaches each and every week for them to share with students – encouraging them to expand their vocabulary on a steady basis throughout their time at BMS.

He also explained about the Friday Reading Scheme now embedded at the school where all Character Development Coaches and/or Learning Assistants read carefully chosen texts to the students, who all follow along the texts with bookmarks to again develop those all important literary skills, so important for lifelong learning.

The set texts provide a platform for discussion about key words and the programme makes for a really focused and calm start to the end of the week; the school falls silent and all students engage in the important CDC led activity.