Reading

Reading at Stratton

We believe that reading is fundamental to education and vital for students’ success.

Students who struggle with their reading are likely to struggle across the curriculum.

At Stratton School, we are committed to supporting our students to become skilled readers that can read to an age-appropriate level and fluency.

Our Reading Charter expresses this commitment, along with our understanding of what students need to progress into skilled readers, and how we go about achieving this.

Students at Stratton school will have numerous opportunities across their school career to foster a love of reading. Particularly in KS3, we identify the importance of continuing students’ reading journey from primary and lower school, and strive in our curriculum to promote the love of reading in both English lessons and school wide, with programmes and interventions aimed to support and promote reading and literacy.

At Stratton we are committed to developing students’ literacy, reading and communication skills and critical thinking through a range of enriching opportunities.

• Opportunities for oracy are embedded throughout the curriculum. Students regularly engage in discussion, debate and collaborative learning activities that develop speaking and listening skills, confidence and critical thinking.
• We celebrate World Book Day each year, encouraging a love of reading through a variety of engaging activities, events and competitions.
• Every Year 7 student receives a book through the Book Buzz programme, helping students discover new authors and fostering reading for pleasure from the start of secondary school.
• On joining Year 7, students are gifted a copy of Time to Shine at The River School, providing an inspiring and memorable introduction to their secondary school journey.
• Stratton School also participates in national reading initiatives such as the Carnegie Shadowing Scheme. This exciting programme gives students the opportunity to read and review books shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, discuss and share their views with others, and ultimately vote for their favourite title. Their votes contribute to the nationwide shadowing process, allowing students to engage with contemporary literature and be part of a prestigious national reading award.
• Trust wide ‘powerful words’ in form time which exposes students weekly to higher level vocabulary.

We develop students’ reading within and across our mainstream curriculum, as well as providing further support and interventions where needed.

Our Reading Champion also promotes reading across the curriculum, including a wide range of ideas and activities to inspire reading within our enrichment super curriculum.