Reading

We support students with their reading by:

  • Ensuring students have opportunities to read in English lessons as part of our mastery curriculum
  • Using our tutors as role models to express enthusiasm and passion for reading
  • Every tutor group (Year 7 -11) having three tutor times per week dedicated to reading
  • Using data from reading assessments at key transition points to identify students who need additional reading support – this could be buddy reading for example.
  • Providing literacy boosting support for struggling readers through our Oasis support team
    Supporting and training teachers to effectively use reading data and apply that to their subject specialism
Reading Lists for KS3 and 4Download

We use Sparx Reader for all students in Key Stages 3 and 4.

Key Stage 3 students have access to this in lesson times, on a rotation, to support their reading and engagement with texts.

Key Stage 4 ues this for their GCSE tesxts.

  • Encouraging your child to read a selection of fiction and non-fiction texts
  • Encouraging your child to make predictions about the book they are reading
  • Take them to local libraries or bookshops and encourage them to select books they are interested in
  • Ensure your child’s book is appropriate for their ability – too challenging will put them off and too easy may not be rewarding
  • Read yourself. It is helpful if children see their parents reading
  • Audio books could be used to help create interest in an author and improve creativity and imagination
  • Use appropriate vocabulary to express views on the text e.g. plot, setting, mood and character
  • Identify language devices a writer uses e.g. adjectives, similes and metaphors
  • Research the context of the novel e.g. World War Two, the Victorian era or a particular culture or country

The Day – a free daily topical newsletter for parents. It provides a brief guide to one of the day’s most stimulating debates, with a summary of the news story and the different sides that people are taking. They select links to the best of the highest quality journalism available in the world so that, if you’re interested in current affairs, you will always have something to enrich your day. Especially useful to help students prepare for GCSE English Language.

Planet ebook – this site provides free pdf copies of classic texts. With 82 titles available including H.G Wells, Dickens and Tolstoy plus many more.

Audible audiobooks – This website provides a number of freely accessible audiobooks. It is suitable for many ages but the linked section is for teens.