Reading
Reading is vital to academic success, student well-being and social inclusion. At Bradfield we want every student to read regularly, fluently and with confidence. Like any skill, the only way to develop reading skills is to read regularly.
Every student in Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) has a dedicated two hours of reading a week in addition to reading as part of learning a subject. Students on intervention programmes will have at least 3 hours of dedicated reading time a week.
If you have any questions about reading at Bradfield, please contact the Lead Practitioner for English or the Librarian via enquiries@bradfield.sheffield.sch.uk
We approach reading through three main areas:
Learning to Read Age Appropriately
We measure the reading age of students twice a year. Where a student has a reading age significantly lower than their actual age, we offer different programmes to support the development of age-appropriate reading skills.
Students struggle with reading for different reasons. We offer four levels of extra support, depending on need.
Difficulties with de-coding.
Reading is a code. Some students need help in learning how the different sounds in English link to letters on the page. Students who struggle with decoding receive Fresh Start phonics provision.
Fresh Start phonics provision
Students study the Fresh Start phonics programme daily in Form Time. This provision is open to students in Years 7-11 and is taught in small groups or, occasionally, one-to-one. For more information, see:Thinking Reading
Students who have reading ages two or more years lower than their actual age are eligible for the Thinking Reading programme.
Students study with a trained Thinking Reading tutor three times a week. Each session is around 30 minutes long and take place during lessons. This provision is open to students in Years 7-11 and is taught one-to-one. For more information:
Comprehension groups
Many students struggle with reading because of unknown words or more complicated sentences. Students who can read fairly fluently but score lower on understanding are invited to join a comprehension group.
Students study non-fiction texts twice a week in groups of up to eight students. We read non-fiction texts linked to current affairs and the curriculum, with a focus on vocabulary, reading accuracy and comprehension. The sessions take place in Form Time.
This provision is open to students in Years 7, 8 and 9. There is also small-group comprehension provision offered to students in Y11 to prepare for their English Language GCSE.
Paired ReadingWhere students are just under nationally expected reading levels, they are invited onto the Paired Reading programme. The aim of Paired Reading is to encourage a habit of regular reading to increase fluency.
Students read a novel one-to-one or in small groups with a trained reading mentor (an older student or member of staff). Students are expected to also read their book at home each week. This provision is offered to students in Years 7 and 8. Students from Years 9, 10 and 11 can train to be Reading Mentors.
Reading for pleasure
A range of research highlights the importance of children reading for pleasure. Our Reading Pledge is that Bradfield students will read at least 30 books by the end of Year 9.
Students at Bradfield are supported to read for pleasure during the school day through:
Form Time reading
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 read twice a week in Form Time (30 minutes). We offer a range of books for classes to choose, including plays, fiction, novels in verse and autobiography or memoir. Form Teachers read the book to their class, while students follow along with the text.
The purpose of Form Time reading is to introduce students to a wider range of books, and to enjoy reading together.
Reading for Pleasure English lessons
Once a week as part of the ARK English KS3 curriculum, we have a Reading for Pleasure lesson. Classes enjoy a book together, taking turns reading out loud to the class. There are plenty of opportunities for discussion and debate, as well as the pleasure of being immersed in a great story, whether fiction or non-fiction.
Library
Our library has a wide range of books for students to read in school and borrow to take home.
We have a full-time Librarian and the library is open every break and lunchtime. Students like the relaxed and calming atmosphere, beautiful views from the large library windows and being part of a community of story-lovers. For students who are looking to study English beyond GCSE, we have many books on the A-Level syllabus available to borrow.
For further information about the importance of reading for pleasure, please see:
Reading to Learn
To support students’ reading development in all classrooms, every teacher knows the reading level of each student and uses this information when planning and delivering lessons. This year, we are prioritising the development of disciplinary literacy, which means teaching students how to read and write in the specific language of each subject.
For more information about disciplinary literacy, please see: