Our Ambition for Reading
At Ansford Academy our ambition is for all of our students to be reading at or above their chronological age by the end of Year 9. This will allow students to confidently access their Key Stage 4 curriculum and GCSE exams. Confidence in reading will lead to students reading regularly, which will increase their cultural capital, enhance their vocabulary and develop their imagination. Reading enables them to become empathetic, critical and thoughtful communicators, both during their time at school and beyond.
We aim to build a reading culture where students develop a love of reading and read for pleasure. They have access to a diverse range of reading material, supplementing the curriculum and providing students with the opportunity to explore different perspectives, cultures and time periods.
A good level of reading is essential for studentsâ acquisition of knowledge and their ability to develop schema (making connections between the things that they know, both within and across their subjects). The average reading age required to access GCSE level texts and examination papers is 15 years and 7 months. We therefore have a comprehensive and rigorous approach to reading, which ensures that our students develop the knowledge, vocabulary and reading fluency to access the curriculum and their exams, and that they leave school with sufficient reading skills for future learning and employment.
We ensure that our students read widely and constructively, and studentsâ reading supplements our curriculum to ensure that students leave us with sufficient knowledge and cultural capital to succeed in life. Our approach to reading develops studentsâ reading skills, comprehension and accuracy, builds their confidence and develops an enjoyment of reading.
Ansford Academy Reading Curriculum Booklet
Reading as Part of the Curriculum
Students in Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 have one reading lesson a fortnight, during their English timetable, where they are expected to independently read books of their chosen genre through guided choice. We ensure that studentsâ reading ages are used to inform their choice of text so that all students are making progress with their reading. Studentsâ reading ages are assessed three times a year and students who are making less progress than expected are provided with opportunities to secure improvement.
A phonics-based reading programme takes place to support our weakest readers in all year groups. This aims to rapidly develop reading confidence and fluency. This is primarily delivered via our digital resource Reading Wise. The resource is highly adaptive and ensures students start and end points are carefully measured. This programme is led by our SENDCo and a small team of trained Teaching Assistants.
Across both KS3 and KS4 vocabulary is focused on in every lesson with key words displayed and referred to as part of the whole school teaching policy. Teaching reading and developing vocabulary is seen as part of the responsibility of all teaching staff.
Reading on a Daily Basis
At Ansford, we read. Students in Years 7-9 are therefore expected to have reading books that are an appropriate level for them with them at all times.
Every week in our School Bulletin a member of our school community shares their current read and recommendation. Additionally, each week Years 7-11 have Tutor Literacy sessions. These sessions promote a shared love of reading, exposure to cultural capital and tackle a number of SMSC issues through our range of challenging texts.
We use data from the NGRT assessments and in-house reading opportunities to inform our reading intervention programme. All students are banded into one of four tiers to help inform planning and intervention throughout the year. This comprises of:
- First wave intervention reading takes place during reading lessons. This uses comprehension and inference reading to ensure students grasp the content of what they are reading
- Catch-up Reading: With the objective of supporting all students to be on or above their chronological reading age in mind, our Catch-Up reading program led by our SENDCO, offers individualised reading support for students who are identified as being two years under their chronological age. Staff and volunteer readers from our local community are timetabled to read individually with these students, and we see tremendous progress with reading ages as a result.
Reading is celebrated at Ansford. From the beginning of their journey in Year 7, to the moment they leave, students are individually supported, encouraged and challenged to develop a life- long passion for reading and literature.
The LibraryÂ
Our newly refurbished library is open during lunch break. Filled with relaxing furniture, the library provides a welcoming environment to escape with a good read. Our dedicated team of student librarians and volunteer staff help all visitors to feel at home, lead discussions and help to find excellent reads. Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 have a timetabled reading lesson where they read, discuss and recommend books.
At lunchtimes, as well as reading, we hold a variety of events in the Library including celebrating World Book Day, teachers reading stories aloud to students. If youâre stuck when choosing a book, consult the links below which contain a whole host of suggested reads organised by genre. Canât find the book you are looking for? Pop a note in our Suggestion Box so it can be added to our shelves.
The library is available for reading at lunchtimes and after school every day of the week and students are encouraged to use this resource.
[Our Students’ Favourite Books]
World Book Day
This is one of our favourite days of the school year and integral part of grasping an opportunity to really celebrate the importance of reading. Each and every year, we have a school theme (from Inspirational Literary Heroines through to Reading for Empathy) which guides how we celebrate it.Â
Promoting a Love of Reading Through Recognition, Praise and Celebration of Achievement
Accelerated Reader is linked heavily into our House Point system, for every quiz passed (80%) students receive a House Point from their Accelerated Reading teacher- we celebrate reading also with the Top Tutor Reading Trophy (for the Tutor Group with the most people having completed the most quizzes) and award extra House Points for those students who read books with higher levels of challenge. We also recognise our âWord Billionairesâ in the School Bulletin and in Achievement Assemblies- The importance of praising reading at Secondary school can never be overstated in its power to combats the national drop off with reading at secondary school age (National Literacy Trust, 2015).
Reading and vocabulary development is a focus for staff training through INSET days, staff meetings and Teaching and Learning briefings. This ensures reading remains high profile and all teachers and teaching assistants have strategies to use to develop vocabulary and support reading, including a basic understanding of phonics.
Our intended impact is that students develop a love of reading, develop the reading skills, fluency, vocabulary and knowledge to access the full curriculum, to build cultural capital and be fully prepared for the next stage of their education.
We are aiming that:
- by the end of Year 9 all of our students are reading at their chronological age or have surpassed it
- all our students are empathetic, critical and thoughtful communicators, within school and beyond
- that the majority of our students are entered for and achieve the EBacc in Year 11
- that our Year 11 students achieve a good set of GCSE outcomes which allows them to progress to their intended destination with over 90% achieving a Grade 4 or above in English.
At home, you can help by encouraging your daughter to read, discussing books with them, asking questions about what they have read and visiting your local library together.
For further tips on how you can support with reading at home please click on the following link: 7 Top Tips to Support Reading at Home.
