'Readers make Leaders'

Why Southborough wants its students to lead

Teachers and parent/carers alike will know that engaging in reading is good for you, both on an academic AND personal level. And the earlier that children get into the habit of reading – particularly reading for pleasure – the greater the benefits to be gained.

Reading bolsters cognitive processes because it exercises our brains, enhancing critical thinking and analytical skills. Thinking through complex plots or understanding character motivations helps to foster problem-solving skills, encouraging readers to make connections and draw conclusions.

There’s no doubt about it - reading can help children perform better academically. Reading on a daily basis can help develop language and communication skills, including vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Children become more articulate and well-spoken. Reading also improves a child’s ability to focus and concentrate, which also leads to improved writing skills. Common sense, really. And as the saying goes… Readers Make Leaders!

But the benefits of reading for pleasure aren’t JUST academic. Regular reading provides not only mental stimulation but can reduce stress and slow the heart rate. In short, it’s great for improving mental health. Getting ‘lost’ in a good book can provide the ‘perfect escape’ into another world or time where all your daily troubles and worries can be left behind.

So the benefits of children reading for pleasure are crystal clear. However, the latest UK statistics on the subject do NOT make for great reading…

In 2023, the National Literacy Trust recorded the lowest level of reading enjoyment since they first started asking children and young people about this in 2005. A large part of the reason is that fewer of those who have traditionally enjoyed reading, such as girls and those aged 8 to 11, now say they enjoy it.

The facts* speak for themselves. (*Source: National Literacy Trust)

• Fewer than 3 in 10 (28.0%) children and young people aged 8 to 18 said that they read daily in 2023, matching levels seen in 2022

• There has been a 26% decrease in the number of children and young people aged 8 to 18 who read daily in their free time since 2005 (decreasing from 38.1% to 28.0%)

Children today arguably have more distractions around them in the form of mobile phones, social media, video games and streaming, which in turn means that they have less time to read for pleasure. But they also may not have access to books that are interesting or relevant to them. They may have negative feelings about reading, such as boredom or frustration – or they may not have access to a supportive reading environment. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that action needs to be taken to deal with the issue.

Southborough’s Reading Action Plan

At Southborough, our school library is a creative, engaging and welcoming hub full of book collections that our students have helped build and choose. Books are linked to hobbies and interests so that they are encouraged to read about things they are already excited about. We hold regular DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) sessions throughout the calendar year and staff are fully trained to stretch and challenge our boys to make them more confident, happy readers.

Earlier this term, we launched a special Reading Action Plan which aims to put reading at the very heart of EVERYTHING we do. With the express intention of making the difference for all our students, the aim is to ensure that all Southborough students enter Key Stage 4 with a reading age of 13 years or above.

A few weeks ago, every single student in Year 7, 8 and 9 underwent a rigorous set of tests to accurately determine their average reading age. And whilst it was encouraging to see that we had many able readers amongst our year groups, there were others who possessed average reading ages below what we would expect for their age.

This ‘Average Reading Age’ score for each child in Key Stage 3 (Year 7 and 8) was shared earlier this week with parent/carers. This was done so that together, you and the school can work collaboratively to ensure that our boys are given the right support to grow their interest, skill and enthusiasm in reading for pleasure – and raise their reading scores accordingly.

Following a successful pilot scheme last year, Year 7, 8 and 9 students have once again been put into timetabled ‘Guided Reading’ classes where they get the chance to read books that really interest them and share their thoughts and feedback with both their peers and teachers. All Southborough staff have received additional training to further stretch and challenge students’ literacy –whatever the subject lesson - and staff have discreet access to all reading age scores so that they can differentiate and support appropriately in class.

How can you help?

Having direct access to your child’s current average reading age score now means that you know what level your child is working at – and there are many ways in which you can help them develop their interest in reading and, ultimately, reach their target scores. These include: making reading a daily habit, reading in front of your child, creating a reading space within the home, re-reading their favourite books with them, taking trips to the library - and letting your child pick what they would like to read.

You can access a webinar full of useful strategies, hints and tips to help you  (see link below) and we are already working closely with a number of primary schools to share good practise so that students receive the necessary encouragement and support they need as early as possible.

Together, we know that we truly will ‘make the difference’ for ALL our students! As always, thank you for your support!

Practical Help from Southborough for Parents & Carers to support Reading for Years 7 - 11

Southborough is offering a webinar, hosted by Assistant Headteachers Ms Linney and Ms Anderson, that aims to give parents and carers practical strategies to support their young people with reading at home.  It will include:  - explanation about Reading Age testing at Southborough  - ideas to encourage reading at home - practical strategies to support your son with homework  - links to our English curriculum  - advice as to organisations and charities to support  The Webinar is on Monday 11th November 2024 from 5pm - 6pm Please click or scan the QR code to express interest