Rapid results from Kennet School reading aloud initiative

Kennet School has positive updates from its reading aloud programme.

More than half of Year 7 pupils have been making significant progress.

The Kennet Canon reading initiative was launched late last year with the aim of boosting their knowledge.

Teachers have been reading literary texts to their pupils every morning for around 15 minutes.

The chosen literature links to themes and topics that are already studied in lessons.

This activity, which falls in morning tutor group sessions, is for pupils in Year 7 to Year 10.

Before it was rolled out, the school pre-chose a list of books for the scheme.

Headteacher Grace Rigg said that since the programme was introduced 51 per cent of Year 7 pupils have made more than 12 months of progress in just nine months.

She said that 5,973 books have been read during the morning sessions.

She added: “We are covering the classics.

“Our Year 10 pupils have been reading more than most adults.

“A notice from the Government said that to be read to is so beneficial.

“And that is how we start the day.”