Reading at Ferryhill
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.