Happy Reading

Posted at 10:16 am on 30th November, 2023

Inspiring a Love of Reading at Wellacre and Beyond

Reading is a key strategic focus for all at Wellacre; the culture established at school is one where reading is valued and celebrated. 

    

Mr Hedge, Assistant Leader in English, said:

“Reading is at the heart of everything we do at Wellacre and you can see this every day through our students’ active love for reading. Literacy is an important pillar of school life, which we aim to promote in each and every student, ensuring their success in school and beyond!” 

We encourage all students to read for pleasure and support literacy skills and progress through a variety of initiatives:

Year 7 Bookbuzz

Wellacre is proud to be part of The Book Trust’s Bookbuzz programme for the fourth year running.  The inspirational Reading scheme gifts every Year 7 student with a free book of their choice. 

  

Students were able to choose from a selection of contemporary fiction and nonfiction titles and the resounding winners for the popular vote were "Striking Out" by Ian Wright, "Dread Wood" by Jennifer Killick and “Loki” by Louie Stowell. 

The scheme ensures there is a title for everyone and students were very excited to receive their book.  We have established a sharing scheme in the Wellacre library for students who wish to swap and share their selections with others. The sharing scheme is a great way for students to swap their chosen books and engage in discussions with other students, allowing them to explore a variety of genres at the start of their Wellacre journey.

Catch-Up Literacy Intervention

To further support Wellacre's Literacy Intervention Programme, a team of support staff have undergone Continuing Professional Development (CPD) around reading. 

Mrs Woodall, Miss Wedderburn and Mrs Suthern completed Catch-Up Literacy training to join the team providing bespoke support. 39 students now read with the team on a weekly basis and have engaged positively with the help on offer. 

We have seen reading ages increase exponentially for students who have benefitted from the intervention  Students also report the improvement in their self-esteem, engagement in learning and enjoyment of stories as a result. 

Student Reading Mentors

A team of Student Reading Mentors who volunteered to spread their love of reading also completed training last year in reciprocal reading, an approach which encourages mentees to explore and find meaning in texts.

As part of the reading mentorship programme, Nathan and Jack, in Year 11, are reading weekly with select Year 8 students identified for literacy intervention.  

Wellacre’s Year 10 Reading Mentors have also continued to support local primary school children at Acre Hall.  The programme, which began last academic year, continued in September. The fantastic team visit the primary school weekly to read with Year 3 and 4 pupils to support their literary progress. 

  

Trafford Transition Project

Mr Hedge, Assistant Leader in English and responsible for Whole School Literacy, is working with primary and secondary colleagues on the Trafford Transition Project, to develop reading strategies and strengthen transition in the curriculum across Trafford. 

 

 

Mrs Sharrock, Principal, said:

“Wellacre students read widely and often. Those who need additional support get it and this helps all students to access the curriculum.”