Make big gains in literacy with the year 7 Catch-Up Premium
Additional funding for underperforming year 7 students has been made available by the Department for Education. The Catch-Up Premium is £500 of additional funding per student not gaining a Level 4 in reading or maths at Key Stage 2.
Additional growth for students falling behind at secondary transition
The funding is intended to help students to catch up to expected levels of attainment quickly, with a large boost of intensive support at the start of their Secondary education. It has been committed until at least 2015.
atch-Up Premium funding is not specifically ring-fenced, meaning that schools can budget according to the needs of their students. The funding can be used for initiatives that benefit all students, therefore, but it is expected that the attainment of year 7 students leaving primary school behind their peers will improve as a result of the Premium.
An independent study conducted by the Education Endowment Foundation and Durham University in 2015 found that students in Year 7 using Accelerated Reader achieved an additional three months growth in reading age compared to their peers, over a 22-week period. Low-income students were found to achieve an additional five months growth with AR – outperforming their peers and closing the gap between them.
“The study shows that poorer children can catch up with their peers as long as the right choices are made by schools.”
Professor Stephen Gorard, Durham University School of Education
| Key facts |
|---|
| Additional funds of £500 per eligible student |
| Allocated to students in Year 7 |
| Allocated to those failing to reach level 4 in reading or maths |
Interim progress monitoring for students requiring catch-up
AR and the STAR Reading interim assessment provide reports of test results in custom groups, including those with eligibility for Year 7 catch-up funding.
Because the test is quick and easy to administer, typically taken four times each year, teachers have the information they need to diagnose any potential problems early in the school year.
Reading is an indicator of success
Students who read for pleasure regularly are significantly more likely to perform better than their peers at school. By fostering a love of reading, Accelerated Reader (AR) motivates students to read and develop their reading skills which will help them on their way to success across the curriculum.
The interactive online Reading Dashboard allows educators to see how well students are performing at class, group and individual level. It allows teachers to diagnose problems and inform intervention programmes.
“We have found that achievement in reading is being transferred across the curriculum, with many of the students using AR achieving two levels in progress in English.”
Vanessa Glister
The Mountbatten School, Hampshire
“Year 7 catch-up funding is used well for underachieving students entering the academy, providing good support via the accelerated reading programme”
Ofsted report
Kingsmead School, Middlesex
The Screening Report identifies students who are performing above benchmark expectations, at benchmark, or below benchmark.
The Student Growth Report plots a student’s progress toward a previously set target, allowing you easily to determine if that student is responding to intervention.
“When we were inspected by Ofsted, AR data helped us to demonstrate that we are aware of students’ literacy abilities in fine detail.”
“It showed that we are doing something to accelerate the progress of all readers, but particularly those whose reading ages are significantly below their chronological age.”
West Lakes Academy, Cumbria
Find out more about Accelerated Reader
Speak to a member of our team
Call us to discuss your school’s needs with a member of our team. (Phones are manned Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 16:30.)
020 7184 4040
Build a quotation
Tell us about your requirements and we’ll tailor a quotation to your specific needs, including new discounts for small schools.
Book an online demonstration
A member of our team will guide you through the programme in approximately 30 minutes. The demo can be arranged at a time to suit you.
Contact Us
Please complete the form below to request more information about Accelerated Reader and STAR Reading.
Book a free online demonstration of Accelerated Reader
Please use the form below to arrange an online demonstration of Accelerated Reader from a member of our team.
You will be introduced to the key features of Accelerated Reader, see how it works, and have the opportunity to discuss any questions you may have about the product. The demo will last approximately 30 minutes.
Book a free online demonstration of Accelerated Reader
Please use the form below to arrange an online demonstration of AR from a member of our team.
You will be introduced to the key features of AR, see how it works, and have the opportunity to discuss any questions you may have about the product. The demo will last approximately 30 minutes.
Build a quotation for Accelerated Reader
Please use the form below to request a quotation from a member of our team.
AR is available by subscription and quotations are tailored to each school’s specific needs and requirements. A member of our team will contact you to discuss your needs further and provide a quotation for the programme.