North East Success Stories
Ofsted Recognised Reading Strategy in the North East
Thomas Walling Primary Academy, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Thomas Walling Academy has been using Accelerated Reader and Star Reading for almost two decades, to support the school's reading development strategy! In May 2021, following a 'Good' Ofsted inspection report, the inspector made several positive observations around the school's reading development strategy and the healthy culture of reading established at Thomas Walling Academy.
From trial to permanent fixture
Allendale Primary School, Northumberland
Allendale Primary School has been using Renaissance solutions since 2016 when they first took part in the Education Endowment Foundation's trial of Accelerated Reader. The trial's objective was to analyse the impact that Accelerated Reader had on pupils' reading engagement and development.
Five years on, Allendale Primary School continue to enjoy the benefits of Accelerated Reader and Star Reading for their pupils' reading enjoyment. Headteacher Alison Hawkins explains why the school opted to take part in the EEF trial with Accelerated Reader. She outlines why Accelerated Reader is as crucial to the school's reading development strategy now as it was five years ago.
How we changed attitudes towards reading with the Complete Literacy Solution from Renaissance
Boothferry Primary School, East Riding of Yorkshire
In 2017, Accelerated Reader and Star Reading was brought in to support the school's literacy strategy and promote more positive attitudes towards reading. In February 2019, the school received a 'Good' Ofsted inspection report, with specific recognition of the school's teaching of reading:
"The teaching of reading is a strength of the school. Teachers provide high-quality support for pupils to develop their reading comprehension. Pupils confidently talk about their whole-school reading challenge, which motivates them to gain rewards for reading regularly."
The north east multi-academy trust with a new-look assessment strategy
Wise Academies, North East
We spoke to Natalie Fountain, Executive Head and Regional Hub Leader (Sunderland) who has been in her role at Wise Academies for almost two years about how the trust use Accelerated Reader.
Transforming the way our Trust supports learning
David Ross Education Trust, Schools across the UK
We spoke to Lyndsay Bawden, Trust-Wide Subject Lead for English at the David Ross Academy Trust, since 2018. Lyndsay explores the decisions that were made at trust-level to utilise Accelerated Reader and Star Reading as a learning enhancement programme.
Accelerated Reader school announced as Secondary School of the Year!
Cathedral Academy, Wakefield
Cathedral Academy, in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, has been crowned Secondary School of the Year in the Tes School Awards 2019! We spoke with Judy Pescod, the school librarian, about how the features of Accelerated Reader and Star Reading have helped grow Cathedral Academy to the impressive institute it is today…
To be among the top five schools in the country is incredible, and my vision now is to become a beacon to schools in other areas of high deprivation…
Ward Jackson CE Primary School, Hartlepool
Like many schools located in areas with high levels of social deprivation, Ward Jackson CE Primary School in Hartlepool has long been regarded as something of a 'problem child' - facing mutiple challenges with staff turnover, poor pupil performance, high levels of mobility and a 'requires improvement' rating from Ofsted. However, unlike many schools of this type, however, 100% of Year 6 pupils at Ward Jackson achieved expected outcomes in their most recent SATs results and is now ranked among the top five schools in the country for progress in reading...
“I don’t think there’s ever been such an active approach to reading at school”
Lower Fields Primary School, Bradford, West Yorkshire
After introducing Accelerated Reader to KS3, Lower Fields Primary School brought about multiple changes to their childrens' reading habits and attitudes.
Realising a reading vision in under a year
East Ravendale CE Primary School, Grimsby, South Humberside
Last year, East Ravendale needed to bring on a new reading approach. With the help of Accelerated Reader, the school brought about rapid reading progress.
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.