Literacy

At Cwmrhydyceirw Primary School, Literacy sits at the heart of everything we do. We believe that confident communication - speaking, listening, reading and writing - unlocks learning across the whole curriculum and helps our pupils become ambitious, capable learners who are ready to thrive in school and beyond. This aligns with the Curriculum for Wales, which recognises Languages, Literacy and Communication (LLC) as a core element of every learner’s development.

At CRC we aim to nurture pupils who:

  • Communicate clearly and confidently.
  • Develop a love of reading from an early age.
  • Write with purpose across a wide range of genres.
  • Use language creatively and thoughtfully to express ideas, emotions and opinions.

 

INTERNET SAFETY …  you must never give out personal information about yourself on the internet without an adult present (Article 19 – you have the right to be kept safe). Although we have provided a list of websites that we recommend, please be aware that Cwmrhydyceirw Primary School is not responsible for the content on these pages.

 

 

Welsh Websites

The links below will direct you to some Welsh activities/games that can be enjoyed at home.

 

 

Hwb Welsh links:

https://hwb.gov.wales/literacy

Speaking and Listening

Speaking and listening are at the heart of everyday life at CRC. From the very start, we encourage children to talk, share ideas and learn from each other in a calm and supportive environment. Whether it’s through class discussions, circle time, role‑play, drama, group problem‑solving or simply chatting about what they’ve been learning, pupils are given frequent opportunities to use their voices with confidence and purpose.

We believe that talk helps children make sense of the world, build relationships and develop clear thinking. Listening is just as important, and we help pupils learn how to listen attentively, respond thoughtfully and show respect for the ideas of others. As children move through the school, these skills grow naturally through everyday routines, collaborative work and the many chances they have to communicate in meaningful, real‑life contexts.

Reading at CRC

Reading is a huge part of life at Cwmrhydyceirw, and we make sure children experience books in a variety of ways. We read individually, in small groups and as a whole class, as each approach helps pupils build confidence and deepen their understanding in different ways.
At CRC, we follow the Oxford Reading Tree scheme, which gives children a clear and supportive structure as they move through the early stages of reading. Alongside this, we also encourage children to read their own books for pleasure - whether that’s a favourite author, a comic, a fact book or something new they’ve chosen themselves. Helping children find stories they genuinely enjoy is an important part of growing enthusiastic, lifelong readers.
Each year group has different class novels that they explore in greater depth. These shared texts become a key part of classroom life, sparking discussion, developing comprehension and helping children appreciate characters, themes and language choices.
We also love celebrating World Book Day every year at CRC. It’s a real highlight in our calendar, with a range of creative and fun activities that bring reading to life and remind children just how enjoyable books can be.

Writing at CRC

From the very beginning of their time with us, children are encouraged to mark‑make and experiment with early forms of writing. These first marks are an important part of helping them understand that writing carries meaning, something strongly supported within early‑years literacy guidance in Wales. As pupils grow, we provide a wide range of meaningful opportunities to write not only in Literacy lessons, but right across the curriculum. Whether they are recording observations in science, writing reflections in wellbeing sessions or creating scripts and stories in the expressive arts, children learn that writing is a powerful tool for thinking, communicating and expressing themselves. Our aim is to help every child become a confident writer who can use language with purpose, imagination and independence.