Reading
Reading is central to students’ success, and we value it highly as a key driver of progress across all subjects. Strong reading skills help students access new ideas, tackle challenging content, and express themselves clearly. For this reason, reading sits at the heart of our school community, supporting students to become confident, curious, and capable learners.
We incorporate dedicated reading into our tutor time each day. This session includes our tutor read, where students and tutors share a text together, building fluency and encouraging meaningful discussion. Students also spend time in independent reading, developing personal reading habits and discovering books that interest and inspire them. Alongside this, we engage students in non‑fiction through The Day, which strengthens critical literacy by introducing them to high‑quality articles focused on current issues. This also gives students a voice, as they vote weekly for the article they would like the school to explore in more depth.
We are committed to supporting every student on their reading journey, and targeted intervention is delivered by both the SEN department and the English department. This support includes a dedicated phonics class, designed to help students secure essential decoding skills and build a strong foundation for confident reading. In addition, interventions such as the online programme Lexia help develop core reading skills, while small‑group guided reading sessions are carefully tailored to boost confidence, fluency, and comprehension. Our Reader Leader programme further enriches our reading culture by pairing dedicated Year 10 and Sixth Form students with younger readers. These reading mentors nurture confidence, build fluency, and act as positive role models, strengthening the sense of community within school.
Alongside skill development, we are passionate about fostering a lifelong love of reading. At the heart of our school is a fully stocked library that encourages students to explore new genres, authors, and ideas. We celebrate reading through our ‘Book of the Month’, termly ‘Drop Everything and Read’ events, and a wide range of competitions that engage students in all year groups. Students also take part in the James Reckitt Book Awards, giving them the opportunity to read, discuss, and vote on shortlisted books while connecting with the wider reading community across the city.
We enhance this culture further through author visits, where writers come into school to share their experiences, talk about their work, and inspire students to think more deeply about stories, writing, and creativity. Each year, we also offer a trip to The Big Malarkey Festival, giving students the chance to immerse themselves in a vibrant celebration of books, storytelling, and imagination.