Reading
The Library and Learning Resource Centre (LRC), which is located at the heart of the school, provides a welcoming environment designed to enhance the reading experience for all students. This space is one that promotes both comfort and academic growth, encouraging students to immerse themselves in reading and learning.
There is a fortnightly Reading session timetabled for every year group where Reading is the sole purpose of the lesson. This initiative supports vocabulary development, offers insights into various subjects, and shows students how knowledge applies to real-world scenarios. Our "Reading Across the Curriculum" program was shaped by feedback from a reading survey conducted with Year 7 and Year 8 students, in partnership with the Open University KS3 Reading Schools Programme. This survey emphasised the importance of reading aloud, which we have integrated into our learning strategies.
In Years 7-9, the Accelerated Reader (AR) programme is embedded within the English curriculum. Students participate in a dedicated AR lesson, where they read books selected based on their reading levels, determined by regular STAR tests. The impact of this program is clear, with positive improvements in reading abilities as shown in recent STAR test data for Year 7 and Year 8 students The library manager runs reading intervention with targeted Year 7 and 8 groups each morning with the support of more fluent readers in Year 7. Progress data from this has been very encouraging with an average 6 month increase in reading ability in two months. Each AR lesson starts with a shared reading aloud session, reinforcing the power of reading together.
In addition to structured reading lessons, we have introduced a book vending machine located centrally in the school. This exciting initiative rewards 10 students each week for their reading achievements, providing tokens to access the vending machine. Beyond this, students’ engagement with the Accelerated Reader program and their individual reading successes are regularly celebrated with various rewards. These measures ensure that reading is not only a skill but a source of pride and joy for our students.
Through these efforts, we aim to ensure that every student develops the skills and knowledge they need to become #equippedforlife. By offering an aspirational environment and a rich array of reading initiatives, we are committed to fostering a lifelong love of learning in every student.
Subject Pledge
Curriculum Overviews
Coming soon...
For further information, please contact our Head of Department
Mr Vashisht ~ RV@westgate.slough.sch.uk