Progress through Reading

Just over a year ago 2JP began a journey to improve their home reading, at the time only four children each week were 5x Readers. We promised each other that we were going to take seriously the school policy recommending we read at home five times each week. Each term this year we have made progress, on average of about seventeen children in our class stand in awards assembly each week as 5x a week readers, which has led other classes to try and replicate our success.

Last week, we decided to end the school year by raising the bar. All 29 children stood assembly, proud of being 5x a week Readers. Jemimah explains that “I enjoy reading a range of different books”. Jimmie added “I enjoy using bugclub to have more choice of books to read”. Admittedly there was a challenge laid out many months ago that Mr. Powell is now obliged to fulfil. Mrs Coates has already said the outcome will be posted online for all to see.

However, for those who have wondered why 2JP have enthusiastically pursued such a challenge even at this late stage in the school year, here is the explanation. There is a body of research through the last thirty years which shows that frequent reading for pleasure boosts attainment in writing, comprehension and grammar. Effects are also seen in self-confidence, decision making and understanding of others, regardless of a child’s background. (DofE ‘Reading for Pleasure’, May 2012)

It is brilliant that our Ofsted report recognised the schools progress in reading across Key Stage 1; the children enjoy frequent visits to the school library, reading skills lessons and ‘drop everything and read’. In 2JP our class data shows reading as one our strengths, no small thanks to our fantastic parents who have helped with all that reading at home. We are a friendly and open class, so allow us to share this secret, one of the best things you can do this summer holiday to help prepare for September is simply to read.

Details of the local library summer read programme can be found online here: summerreadingchallenge.org.uk