Reading
Why should students study your subject?
We encourage all students to read regularly!
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have Reading lessons on their timetables. These are enjoyable sessions where students are able to read a book of their choice during the lesson in our specialist Reading classroom.
We also encourage students to regularly read for pleasure, whether this is at home or at our after school Reading Club where students can read whatever they choose – either a book of their own or one of the hundreds we have available within school – it’s up to them!
What skills does your subject teach?
There are so many benefits to be found within Reading. As well as the enjoyment of a fantastic book with an exciting plot and fascinating characters, reading also taps into students’ imaginations, transporting them to another world.
Reading also allows students to develop their language and communication skills which can help them not only in English and so many of their other subjects, but also in their lives outside of school. Evidence suggests that children who read regularly not only perform better in reading tests than those who don’t, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures.
Reading can also help students to have more understanding of the feelings and beliefs of others, which is great for developing their communication skills and building relationships with others. Plus, getting lost in a good story is fantastic for relaxing and getting rid of the stresses of the day.
Why is your subject useful for the world of work, or future employment? What kind of jobs could someone do using your subject? How can students take your subject further, eg at college, university, the world of work etc
Reading is so important in every aspect of life – and we read something every single day, whether it’s a book, a magazine, a text message, a food label, instruction manuals…..there are so many things that we probably don’t even realise. Being able to read well and gain knowledge and understanding from the things we read is an invaluable skill that can be applied in so many different situations.
Reading is a lifelong activity that can be done within an education setting but also simply done for enjoyment. There aren’t many things that can beat the feeling of getting lost in a good book.
What is your overall curriculum intent?
To help and support students to improve their reading skills and become more confident readers, developing skills which can be used in their school lives as well as outside of school.
To develop a life-long love of reading that will carry on into adulthood.
How is it implemented?
At the beginning of the school year, students complete a STAR Reading Test, which tells us their current reading age, as well as the level of books they should begin to read. The STAR Tests are completed again midway through the school year and again in the Summer Term to allow us to gauge students’ progress throughout the year.
During Accelerated Reader lessons, students are able to read books at their book level, taking quizzes after finishing each book which checks their understanding of the books, its plot and characters.
If they read three books and pass three quizzes at their current book level, they then move up to the next level. Our students really enjoy seeing themselves making progress and this adds another fun element to their Reading lessons, as well as the enjoyment of having some dedicated reading time during the school day.
How can someone improve in your subject?
Find a book you enjoy and get reading!
Students can improve their reading levels during Reading lessons in school by taking quizzes on their books. If they achieve a score of over 80% on three quizzes, they move up a level. Students really enjoy seeing themselves progressing, and it’s a fantastic motivator to not only improve their reading skills, but to get more enjoyment out of reading.
Students can access our after school Reading Club where they can read for pleasure and also receive support from staff with their Reading if they require this. Within Reading lessons, where possible, we also encourage students to do one-to-one reading with a member of staff, where they read aloud from their current book. This can help us to see how students are progressing and check their fluency and understanding of the books they are reading, and provide feedback.
How can students find out more?
Students can ask for book or author recommendations from their AR or English teacher. In fact, they can ask any teacher across school what they have enjoyed reading!
At Ferryhill School we believe that careful and accurate reading is crucial for comprehension, academic success and overall literacy development. When readers can recognise words accurately and smoothly, they can focus on understanding the text, leading to better comprehension and learning across different subjects. This fluency allows readers to engage more deeply with the material and retain information more effectively, ultimately impacting their ability to succeed in school and beyond.
We also want to develop a love of reading that will stay with our students for life. Sparx Reader encourages successful reading which, in turn, allows for greater engagement across the curriculum and beyond. As reading is a fundamental tool for acquiring knowledge; reading success becomes a strong predictor of overall academic performance.
It is our expectation at Ferryhill school that students complete 30 minutes of reading at home, each week, using Sparx Reader. When this reading is complete, students will receive 300 SRP (Sparx Reader Points). Students will always be rewarded for their reading and this will be reflected in the rewards system. Sparx personalises each student’s home learning, offering four e-books for students to read independently matched to their level. After reading a section of their book, students will be stopped and asked to answer a series of questions to check their understanding.
Students will also complete additional Sparx Reader lessons in school. Sparx Reader is an innovative, personalised platform that has been developed specifically to match students with books to read that reflect their reading level. Sparx Reader, therefore, is designed to ensure that every child does meaningful, independent reading every week.
How can I help my child with their homework?
It is important that students complete their homework independently. This allows the algorithm to provide suitably pitched e-books for each student. The e-books selected allow the platform to provide suitable comprehension questions for each student. With this in mind, try not to help your child answer a question until they have had a go first!
Why does my child have to complete homework?
Reading is a fundamental to living a fulfilling life. Students who struggle to read and comprehend are not able to access the secondary school curriculum. Literacy requirements rise rapidly beyond primary school and we want to ensure that all students are given the tools to access their curriculum and to be successful. Homework is essential in ensuring our students are able to read accurately and fluently. Sparx reader allows students the freedom to practice this at home allowing better progress at school.
In order to access Sparx Reader, simply visit the Sparx Website:
Click on the ‘Log in to Sparx using Microsoft’ button. The site may ask for your school’s name; simply enter Ferryhill School.
Sparx Reader works on all devices, laptops, mobiles and tablets.