Literacy & Numeracy
At St Paul’s, we believe that strong literacy, numeracy and digital skills are the foundation for success in every subject, and every future.
These core capabilities enable our students to access the curriculum with confidence, express themselves clearly, think critically, and participate fully in modern life. We are committed to identifying and supporting every learner who needs a boost in these essential areas, while also promoting a culture of curiosity, fluency and growth.
Why Reading Matters
Research shows that students who read regularly perform better across all subjects, not just English.
At St Paul’s, we foster a love of reading as both an academic and personal tool. Our reading strategy includes high-quality texts in every subject, structured support for weaker readers, and regular opportunities to read for pleasure.
We work closely with families to build strong habits at home, and our library plays a key role in helping every child find the books that inspire them.
I used to think reading was just for English lessons, but it’s made me more confident when I’m answering questions and writing things in my own words.
— Year 8 Student
What We Do at St Paul’s
At St Paul’s, we believe that strong literacy, numeracy and digital fluency are more than just classroom skills; they are essential tools for life. Whether students are analysing a poem, solving a problem, writing an email or presenting their ideas, these core foundations shape confident learners and future-ready individuals.
That’s why we take a whole-school approach: embedding literacy and numeracy across all subjects, modelling clear communication in every interaction, and ensuring every student has the skills to understand, express, question and explore the world around them.
Supporting children's reading at home
Literacy is embedded across the curriculum through subject-specific vocabulary, reading strategies, and opportunities to write and speak for a range of audiences. We know from research that regular reading builds background knowledge, improves concentration, and supports wellbeing, which is why we provide time, space and encouragement for students to read widely and often, including through tutor time and our reading enrichment programme.
Numeracy is strengthened not just in Maths, but wherever problem-solving, data handling or estimation is needed, from Science and Technology to Geography and beyond. We support students in building confidence with numbers and applying mathematical thinking in real-world contexts.
Digital literacy is an increasingly essential part of both. From understanding how to research and evaluate information, to presenting ideas clearly and using tools like AI critically and creatively, we equip students to thrive in a digital world. You can learn more about this on our E-Learning page.
Numeracy
Numeracy is more than arithmetic, it’s the ability to understand and work with numbers in everyday life. We embed numeracy across the curriculum and offer targeted interventions to support students who need it. From interpreting data in science to managing money in real-world scenarios, our approach helps students become confident, capable problem-solvers.
Digital Literacy
In today’s world, digital literacy is just as essential as reading and numeracy. Through our one-to-one device programme and integrated curriculum, students learn to research effectively, present ideas using technology, communicate clearly and responsibly, and begin exploring new tools such as artificial intelligence. You can read more about our approach on our E-Learning page.
