Please follow @EnglishStewards on Twitter to keep up to date with all things English!

Curriculum

The latest curriculum for English states that ‘Reading at key stage 3 and 4 should be wide, varied and challenging. Pupils should be expected to read whole books, to read in depth and to read for pleasure and information.’ At Stewards Academy developing pupils’ reading skills is a key priority. The importance of reading cannot be overstated. Teenagers who read for pleasure are much more likely to get a better job when they become adults, according to an in-depth and long-running sociological study.

Accelerated Reading

We strongly encourage pupils to read whole books within their reading level range and when a book is finished to take a ‘book quiz’ on the Renaissance Reading system.  Pupils may now access this at home.  Please use this link to the website https://ukhosted31.renlearn.co.uk/1963747 pupils have login details in their study folders.

‘Renaissance Reading’

This has now been active at the school for a number of years and currently around 700 students across years 7 to 9 are enrolled on the scheme. It works by assessing a pupil’s reading ability with a computer reading test, called a ‘Star Test’. Pupils are then given a ‘book range’ so they know which books they will be able to read and understand. After reading the book a ‘Renaissance Reading ‘quiz is taken which assesses the student’s understanding of the book. In addition, pupils are given a points target for the term, which are earned through passing a quiz on the books when finished. This scheme has proven to greatly improve reading ability across all ages and all ability levels in the school. 

Library reading sessions

Pupils in years 7 8 and 9 have two library sessions every half-term.  This session is dedicated to improving reading skills. Pupils  have the opportunity to read independently, one to one or sometimes in small groups.  All pupils may visit the library, where they choose a book and take Renaissance Reading quiz. 

The School Library

Reading lessons take place in the library.  Break and lunchtimes it is often full of pupils working hard.  All pupils are welcome to use this excellent facility to read, to study, to take Renaissance quizzes and to research via the Internet or reference books for homework.  We hold various competitions and incentives to encourage reading for pleasure, there is certainly never a dull moment in our Library!

Reading Weeks

Each term, one week is dedicated to reading across the whole school.  The English department organise a wide range of reading activities takes place to encourage a love of literature. We choose a different theme for each such as ‘Poetry’, ‘Diaries’, and the all-time favourite ‘Harry Potter’. These include, author visits, competitions, and staff readings in the library.