Literacy Specialist

Literacy specialists (LS’s) are experienced primary teachers, often middle leaders in their own settings, who have an excellent knowledge of phonics and a proven track record in improving early reading in their school. They support partner schools’ head teachers and reading leaders to ensure partner schools are driving improvements in phonics and early reading. LS’s must have the leadership skills to evaluate, action plan and challenge leaders following rigorous data analysis on each LS visit.

Main responsibilities:

● To attend English Hub training days (new LS’s will receive 6 days training 2023-24);

● To audit the phonics and early reading provision of eligible schools in order to help them

secure grant funding from the DfE and possible follow up support from New Wave English

Hub;

● To support partner school leaders to implement the ‘Challenge Checklist’ (a list of DfE

approved objectives to drive achievements in early reading);

● To monitor progress using the criteria on the ‘Challenge Checklist’ and report progress to

hub lead every half-term;

● To ensure partner schools adhere to program expectations such has completing half termly

data drops, attending progress meetings and training events;

● Produce a report after each visit (using DfE proforma) detailing specific advice and actions

for implementation;

● To lead ‘medium level support’ virtual training sessions underpinned by evidence based

research.

The New Wave English Hub Leads will ensure you are fully supported by:

● opportunity to collaborate with highly effective leaders and literacy specialists within the

team;

● meeting frequently with you to reaffirm core messages and actions, check progress of

lowest 20% pupils and practise core elements of SSP;

● providing you with systems and key documentation to ensure consistency with reporting

progress;

● providing high quality ongoing CPD focussed on leadership development and reading

subject knowledge.