Reading
Reading at BHA 2019-2020.
Current situation:
- Reading for pleasure is embedded at BHA as a key value.
- Library is open every lunch time for pupils to visit and borrow books;
- Pupils’ reading ages are assessed on entry in Y6 and annually throughout their time at BHA;
- Lowest % of pupils with Literacy difficulties and low reading ages follow a bespoke Reading Programme Fresh Start throughout Y6 delivered by trained TAs;
- Development of reading skills throughout subject areas, especially with a focus on vocabulary and accessing the curriculum;
- A % of students with low reading ages on entry follow the Lexia reading programme;
- Y8 Reading Buddies work with Y6s who need help and support. This takes place in the library twice a week during the end of the day form time;
- Adults listen to some pupils read during end of the day form time;
- English department deliver CPD on reading strategies to whole staff.
How do we inspire pupils to read?
- Booklists for each year group;
- Shared novel in Y6 and Y7 and Y8 form times;
- Vibrant library which is manned at lunch times;
- Pupil librarians;
- Y7 BookBuzz to support Y7 Catch Up and encourage a culture of reading;
- Use of published authors talking about the writing process .e.g. Tom Palmer;
- Summer Reading Bingo Challenge to all year groups and new intake;
- Book Fairs during set weeks and with an evening for parents to be able attend;
- 20 books for 2020 Reading Challenge through English classes;
- World Book Day events;
- National Poetry Day Events;
- Staff bookshelf for sharing readers;
- Teachers share their current reading with classes;
- Relentless enthusiasm for reading.
How do we encourage pupils to read?
- Lexia;
- Use of ‘live lessons’ with published authors talking about their writing;
- Sustained silent reading at the start of English lessons; teacher listens to children read;
- Reading related home learning once a fortnight;
- Vocabulary related homework once per fortnight;
- Expectation that all pupils read at home every night and to someone at least 3 times a week – Journal log;
- Reading Journal work in English;
- Whole school approach – every pupil must have a book with them at all times;
- DEAR time during form time;
- Kindle reading group CBa;
- Reading Buddy Programme Y6;
- Designated reading lesson every fortnight in English with access to the library.
How do we support word level for reading?
- Vocabulary championed across the school
- Word of the Week whole school level;
- Word of the Week subject level;
- Y6 Ninja Vocabulary;
- PiXL subject specific word mats;
- Staff CPD Vocabulary Instruction with practical strategies shared.
How do we identify reading barriers?
- NFER test all Y6 pupils on entry in September;
- WRAT test some pupils;
- Implement reading interventions:
- Lexia;
- 1:1 reading Programme with adult volunteers;
- Reading Buddy Programme twice a week;
- Kindle group (Y7);
- CPD for whole staff re: reading;
- Support for subject teachers – barriers explained, support provided;
Next Steps
- Use curriculum redesign to promote and embed reading for progress;
- Develop fiction reading during form time in all years;
- Look to further develop reading provisions;
- Develop parental links regarding reading;
- Further develop staff engagement with reading for progress (CPD for teachers using academic reading/vocabulary) and reading for pleasure;
- Find ways to inspire all pupils to read;
- Termly prize for best library user. House points for tutor group who use the library most;
- Reading for pleasure sponsored event in Spring Term;
- Outside literacy shed built by S Banks and resources provided by English;
- £200 worth of Nature books in The Potting Shed funded by ‘Daffodil Project’.
- Alternating weekly home learning between a Reading Journal response and a vocabulary response for all year groups;
- Increase community involvement with reading for pleasure.
MEJ/CBA October 2019.