Welcome to Falmouth School's Reading Strategy.
At Falmouth School, we recognize the crucial role that reading plays in a young person's success and happiness. Sadly, there exists a 'reading gap' among young people in the United Kingdom, with some enjoying a rich reading experience while others face challenges in accessing books. Research from the National Literacy Trust highlights the disparity, revealing that as few as 1 in 8 disadvantaged students own a book. Additionally, in 2019, only 73% of students leaving primary school reached their expected levels for reading. This gap significantly hampers students' ability to access the secondary school curriculum, contributing to a broader educational divide.
Our Commitment to Literacy
Falmouth School is committed to supporting all students, irrespective of their background, in accessing the enriching opportunities that come with being a confident reader. To achieve this, we have implemented various schemes and initiatives to promote both disciplinary reading for information and reading for pleasure.
Our Reading Initiatives
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Tutor Reading:
- Students in Years 7-10 engage in reading every morning during tutor time. Carefully selected books that link with British Values are read aloud, igniting a passion for reading and modeling pronunciation. This initiative also provides opportunities to explain vocabulary and promotes wider cultural capital.
- Students in Years 7-10 engage in reading every morning during tutor time. Carefully selected books that link with British Values are read aloud, igniting a passion for reading and modeling pronunciation. This initiative also provides opportunities to explain vocabulary and promotes wider cultural capital.
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Explicit Vocabulary Instruction:
- Teachers in various subject disciplines plan for learning opportunities around reading. The use of 'Popcorn Reading' encourages collaborative reading, and teachers explain tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary within lessons.
- Teachers in various subject disciplines plan for learning opportunities around reading. The use of 'Popcorn Reading' encourages collaborative reading, and teachers explain tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary within lessons.
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Reading Intervention:
- Falmouth School utilises 'Reading Plus' software to assess students' reading abilities, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. This sophisticated package assesses fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary levels, enabling our literacy team to provide targeted support during tutor time reading intervention slots and in-lesson support.
Looking Ahead
While these initiatives mark our commitment to fostering a love of reading, we are continually exploring new ways to inspire future generations of readers. Stay tuned for updates on our evolving reading programs.
At Falmouth School, we believe in empowering every student to become a confident and enthusiastic reader, opening doors to a world of knowledge and possibilities.