Mr Reed re-launched Accelerated Reader for the new academic year by proving how reading has boosted the performance of talented students at the academy.
During this week's academy broadcast, Mr Reed re-launched Accelerated Reader for the new academic year by proving how reading has boosted the performance of talented students at the academy.
The academy joined the Accelerated Reader program in 2013. Since then, it has had a major impact on creating a culture of reading at the academy. Figures from the school library reveal that there were over 16000 book loans during the last academic year.
Mr Reed is hoping that Key Stage 3 students can break the record again this year. There will be regular updates, in-house competitions and prizes awarded each term. Post 16 students are also getting involved by acting as reading mentors to Year 7 students.
Accelerated Reader works first by assessing students' reading ages through an on-line test. Using information generated by the software, teachers help students select books that are difficult enough to keep them challenged, but not too difficult to cause frustration.
When students finish reading their book, they complete a comprehension test. At the end of each term, the student has their reading age tested again to check on progress. When students read for 30 minutes every day, the scheme has been proven to produce an average of two years reading age growth in just one academic year.
Reading for pleasure offers many long term benefits. In addition to raising literacy standards so that students can fully access the curriculum, it helps to improve concentration, relaxation and memory. It is hoped that the programme will help students develop a lifelong love of reading.
Students and parents can check to see if a book is on the Accelerated Reader program by the:
This will also assist parents in making sure their son or daughter is reading at the correct level.