37. Building a vocabulary-led curriculum with Lauren Bishop and Natalie Miles

Bedrock Talks from Bedrock Learning

When literacy becomes everyone's responsibility, something remarkable happens to a school's culture. In this captivating conversation, we speak to Lauren Bishop (Literacy Coordinator and English Teacher) and Natalie Miles (Assistant Head) from The Bishop's Stortford High School about their journey to place vocabulary at the heart of their curriculum.
What began as a targeted intervention quickly transformed into a school-wide approach that's yielding exceptional results. Lauren and Natalie share how they've strategically moved vocabulary instruction beyond the English department, creating dedicated systems and structures that ensure equitable access for all students. Their thoughtful implementation includes digital access audits, multiple completion opportunities at school, and a centralised literacy team that removes barriers to participation.
The conversation delves into the critical importance of Tier 2 vocabulary – those slightly more sophisticated words that unlock access to subject-specific terminology across the curriculum. As Natalie explains: "We wanted to make sure that students had equitable access to our secondary curriculum." This underpinning foundation enables students to navigate more complex concepts in every subject area.
Perhaps most compelling are the stories of impact on student confidence and classroom engagement. From students proudly identifying "Bedrock words" in discussions to approaching teachers in the playground to share their extra practice, the school has created a culture where vocabulary development is visible, celebrated, and transformative.
This episode offers practical insights for any school looking to elevate literacy from a checkbox exercise to a fundamental driver of student success. As Bishop's Stortford's headteacher regularly reminds staff: "Literacy is everybody's job" – and this podcast reveals exactly how to make that philosophy a reality.
Subscribe to the Bedrock Talks literacy podcast for more conversations with educators who are transforming literacy instruction in their schools.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Literacy at Bishop's Stortford (00:00:00)

2. Implementing Bedrock: Beyond Intervention (00:04:33)

3. Creating an Inclusive Literacy Culture (00:09:50)

4. Connecting School, Home and Identity (00:15:59)

5. Reward Systems and Being Seen (00:22:47)

6. Impact on Student Confidence and Achievement (00:30:56)

7. Closing Thoughts and Emotional Literacy (00:37:42)