Literacy Test Page
We would like to provide information and news for students and their parents, and carers, as well as introducing some of our new initiatives and ideas.
Literacy is at the forefront of all education - without the ability to read, write or speak no one would be able to navigate the world. At our recent Ofsted inspection, the school's love of Literacy was highlighted and shown throughout our school.
Form Time Reading
In every form students have a selected class reading book and they read together. There are various book titles including classics such as ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’, and ‘Animal Farm’ to popular books selected by staff and students such as ‘War Horse’ and ‘Noughts and Crosses’. Students are given the opportunity to read in a supportive environment led by their form tutor, who has been trained in how to deliver expressive reading so they can guide and support students when they are selected to read aloud. This means we expect students will have read, on average, 10 complete novels in their time at The Astley Cooper School.
Please see below to see a full list of the current titles students are reading in form time.
School Library/Accelerated Reader
The Astley Cooper Library is open to pupils before school every break, every lunch time and after school until 4.15 pm. Here, students can complete homework or read quietly, or engage in any activity taking place. With a variety of engaging books, students can discover the joys of reading by borrowing a book of their choosing. The rest of the library is comprised of a computer area reserved for homework and extra-curricular use. This is also where students will be able to compete their Accelerated Reader quizzes.
Book Buzz
This year we introduced Book Buzz to all of our Year 7 students allowing students the opportunity to select their own free book. Students were given 17 fantastic titles to choose from ensuring that every student would find a book that they would love whatever their interest or ability. The books were selected by an expert panel including school librarians, teachers and children's booksellers.
Please click here to find out more information about this scheme ; www.booktrust.org.uk/bookbuzz
Bedrock Learning
This year, we have introduced Bedrock Learning. This is an effective teaching programme that uses evidence informed strategies proven to increase progress in English and the wider curriculum. Students from Year 7, 8 and 9 have been given this application to boost their reading comprehension, thinking and learning skills. The programme’s unique and highly collaborative method of reciprocal teaching has proven to rapidly accelerate literacy and attainment.
Please click below to find out more information about this application:
Supporting Reading at home
Regular reading allows students better access to the school curriculum and therefore it is essential that students are reading at home. To support with this we recommend shared reading, reading with your child, as it has proven to help with the development of reading and increase the motivation to read.
Please click below to find out more about how to support your child with reading at home.
Please also click here to find some recommended reading lists for your child: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/
The staff at Astley Cooper are clear in their belief that each student should be literate and have the confidence and abilities to tackle their work with a complete set of literacy skills.
I hope that parents, guardians and the students themselves will keep checking this site and talking with their teachers to find out what more they can do to keep improving their literacy skills.