--- title: "Secondary Foundational Knowledge and Skills" url: "https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills" school: "Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust" --- Admissions Consultation BHCET schools [Click Here](https://bhcet.org.uk/admissions-consultation) # Secondary Foundational Knowledge and Skills Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust ## Secondary Foundational Knowledge & Skills Foundational knowledge is not simply about academic success; it is an expression of human dignity. By ensuring that every pupil can read confidently, communicate clearly, write effectively and use mathematics fluently, we give young people the knowledge, confidence and opportunity to access the curriculum, participate fully in society and shape their own future. Our Catholic Mission ## Literacy and numeracy are dignity. Catholic education enables young people to grow in knowledge, meaning, justice and hope. Inspired by the Church's mission and the legacy of Saint Joseph Calasanz, our commitment to foundational knowledge ensures that every child is given the tools they need to flourish through learning. Explore by Area ## Four essential foundations Choose Reading, Writing, Oracy or Maths & Numeracy to see progression across Years 7, 8 and 9, or go directly to the supporting toolkit. ### [Reading ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/reading) Developing the fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and disciplinary reading skills pupils need to understand increasingly complex texts across the curriculum. [View Reading overview ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/reading) [ Reading toolkit ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/reading/toolkit) [Reading resources](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/reading/reading-resources) ### [Writing ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/writing) Developing pupils' ability to communicate knowledge, reasoning and ideas clearly and effectively, with increasing accuracy, control and awareness of purpose and audience. [View Writing overview ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/writing) [ Writing toolkit ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/writing/toolkit) [Writing resources](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/writing/writing-resources) ### [Oracy ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/oracy) Developing vocabulary and high-quality spoken language so that pupils can think, explain, discuss, question, listen and communicate with confidence. [View Oracy overview ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/oracy) [ Oracy toolkit ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/oracy/toolkit) [Oracy resources](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/oracy/oracy-resources) ### [Maths & Numeracy ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/maths-and-numeracy) Developing the numerical fluency, reasoning, communication and problem-solving skills pupils need to interpret information and access learning across the curriculum. [View Maths overview ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/maths-and-numeracy) [ Maths toolkit ](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/maths-and-numeracy/toolkit) [Maths & Numeracy resources](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/maths-and-numeracy/maths-resources) Explore by Year Group ## See the foundations together View Reading, Writing, Oracy and Maths & Numeracy together for a single year group, giving staff a holistic picture of the foundational knowledge and skills pupils are expected to secure, develop and refine. ### Year 7 Securing the foundational knowledge and skills pupils need across Reading, Writing, Oracy and Maths & Numeracy. [View Year 7](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/year-7) ### Year 8 Extending, developing and applying foundational knowledge and skills across the four areas. [View Year 8](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/year-8) ### Year 9 Refining foundational knowledge and skills across the four areas in preparation for increasingly demanding study. [View Year 9](https://bhcet.org.uk/foundational-knowledge-and-skills/year-9) ## From expectations to classroom practice Staff can explore the framework by foundational knowledge area or by year group. Area pages show progression across Years 7, 8 and 9 and link to detailed teaching guidance, while year-group pages bring all four foundations together in one view. **Choose a route** Explore by area or view all four foundations together by year group. **Review the expectations** See progression across Years 7, 8 and 9 or focus on the expectations for one year group. **Explore the toolkit** Select an individual expectation to go directly to its detailed teaching guidance. ## Why foundational knowledge matters As pupils move through secondary education, the demands of the curriculum become increasingly complex. Every subject introduces specialist vocabulary, ways of thinking and forms of communication. Pupils therefore need explicit support to read, write, speak, listen and use mathematics within different disciplines. Without secure foundational knowledge, gaps can widen over time and restrict pupils' ability to make progress across the curriculum. Secure literacy, oracy and numeracy are therefore not confined to individual subjects. They underpin learning across science, humanities, mathematics and the wider curriculum. **Curriculum access** Secure foundational knowledge enables pupils to understand and engage successfully with subject content. **Equity** Clear minimum expectations help ensure that every pupil receives the foundational knowledge they need to succeed. **Early identification** Common expectations make gaps in knowledge easier to identify so that support can be targeted appropriately. **Consistency** A trust-wide approach provides clarity for pupils and staff across schools, subjects and year groups. ## Every subject. Every teacher. Foundational knowledge is the responsibility of every subject and every teacher. Effective implementation requires a whole-school, whole-curriculum commitment to developing pupils' Reading, Writing, Oracy and Maths & Numeracy within each discipline. The Trust will define clear minimum standards for each year group so that schools have a consistent baseline entitlement for every pupil. Our Purpose ## Equipping pupils for success Our approach to foundational knowledge ensures that all pupils are equipped with the fundamental knowledge and skills required to achieve three key outcomes. ### Access the full curriculum ### Succeed academically ### Progress to further education, employment and life opportunities ## A continuous entitlement Foundational knowledge is not a preliminary stage of learning. It is a continuous entitlement that underpins success throughout secondary education, enabling every pupil to learn with confidence, dignity, hope, freedom and purpose. ![Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust](https://files.schudio.com/bishop-hogarth-catholic-education-trust/images/logo/Bishop_Hogarth_and_Hexham_Logo_new_(4).png) ### Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust The Headlands Darlington Co. Durham DL3 8RW ### Useful Links: - [Contact Us](https://bhcet.org.uk/contact) - [Our Schools](https://bhcet.org.uk/about-us/our-schools/our-academies) - [Liturgy](https://liturgy.bhcet.org.uk/) ### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/bishophogarthcatholiceducationtrust) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnbQ9xZ52YqnFmxK5Ve_EuA) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bishop-hogarth-education-trust/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/bishophogarth_cet/) ### Translation ### Office 365 [Sign in to Office 365](https://outlook.office.com/) Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust is a company registered in England | Company Registration No: 07808732 | Registered Office: Carmel College, The Headlands, Darlington, DL3 8RW, England. bhcet.org.uk School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://bhcet.org.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)