“Reading culture in our school has changed significantly since using Star Reading”

GEMS Wellington Academy, Dubai

Since implementing Star Reading and Accelerated Reader, both progress levels and attainment levels have risen year on year at GEMS Wellington Academy.

Talking Points: Assessment, Data Review, Motivation, Progress Monitoring, Reading Culture

Assessment made easy at Manor Leas Junior Academy

by Chelsea Sandbrook, Assistant Head Teacher

Manor Leas Junior Academy is a large Junior (KS2 only) school in Lincoln, aiming to provide pupils with an innovative curriculum to engage them in their learning. They recently became a Master School - an award celebrating best-practices in reading engagement. Chelsea Sandbrook, Assistant Head Teacher at the school, shares her experience of tracking and monitoring pupil progress over the years.

Talking Points: Achievement, Assessment, Assessment for Learning, Data, Data Review, Intervention, Leadership, Progress, Progress Monitoring, Pupil Progress, Reporting, SATs, SEN, Staff Engagement, Staff Workload, Student Engagement

Part 2: My journey with Star as an Accelerated Reader School

River Beach Primary School, Littlehampton, West Sussex, England

River Beach Primary School is based in West Sussex and has approximately 720 pupils on roll and caters for children from nursery through to Year 6. Their motto is "Every Child, Every Chance, and Every Day". Joe Neale, English Subject Leader at River Beach Primary, takes us through the school's journey of monitoring progress and growth with Accelerated Reader and Star Assessments.

Talking Points: Assessment, Assessment for Learning, Assessment without Levels, Data Review, Intervention, Progress Monitoring, SATs, Staff Workload

The first Accelerated Reader school in Ireland

Scoil Chríost Rí, Ennis, County Clare

Scoil Chríost Rí is one of over 60 schools in County Clare using Accelerated Reader, but was one of the first in Ireland to implement the programme, in 2011. Principal Gearóid Roughan describes the school’s reading approach and experiences with the programme.

Talking Points: Comprehension, Data Review, Parents, Reading Culture

My teachers have more information than ever on learning and progress, and a lower workload

Battle & Langton CE Primary School, Battle, England

Gary Alexander, Deputy Head Teacher at Battle & Langton Primary, takes us through his journey of assessment without levels. He speaks about how Star was trialled with Year 3 and Year 5 pupils in his school and how they journeyed on to predicting their pupils SATs results with Star Assessments.

Talking Points: Assessment, Assessment for Learning, Assessment without Levels, Data Review, Ofsted, Progress Monitoring

Star – An accurate predictor of pupil performance

Herne Bay Junior School, Kent

Acting Deputy Head, Chris Thomas, shares the journey that they’ve been on for the last 18 months – and explains how data is proving to be a valuable tool in helping to find the story behind every child…

Talking Points: Assessment, Assessment for Learning, Assessment without Levels, Data Review, Progress Monitoring, Pupil Progress Reviews, SATs

Focusing assessment on English and maths proficiency

The Boulevard Academy, Kingston, Humberside

The Boulevard Academy have used Star Assessments for reading and maths as their primary means of assessing progress and attainment since the school opened in 2013. The school focuses heavily on literacy and numeracy, with their main goal in KS3 being for all students to achieve proficiency in these areas in preparation for the GCSE curriculum. Chris Navier and Adele Elliott share how Star enables the school to do this.

Talking Points: Assessment, Data Review, GCSE Preparation, Ofsted, Progress Monitoring, Pupil Premium, Staff Workload

Recognising, rewarding and motivating reading at Lusaka International Community School

Lusaka International Community School, Zambia

Talking Points: Data Review, Incentives, Motivation, Reading for Pleasure

Developing reading comprehension and engagement at County Antrim primary school

Christ the Redeemer Primary School, Belfast, County Antrim

Talking Points: Data Review, Personalised Practice, Reading Comprehension, Reading for Pleasure, Student Engagement

Renaissance Accelerated Reader is ‘The single most effective literacy strategy we have put in place’

Oasis Academy Wintringham, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire

Since implementing Accelerated Reader in 2008, Oasis Academy Wintringham have seen huge improvements in reading standards throughout the school.

Talking Points: Assessment, Data Review, Progress Monitoring, Pupil Premium, Reading Culture, RSP