Providing structure to every child’s reading pattern
New Barn School, Horsham
Philip Brunton – Key Stage 2 Teacher, New Barn School
Our school was a new set-up. We cater for children with high functioning autism. As a new school, we were in the process of implementing our reading policy and developing a small library. It was very tricky for teachers to assess reading for students.
We have had Accelerated Reader for around 18 months. All of our primary school classes use Accelerated Reader, and it has been used in lower Key Stage 3 too.
We invested in Accelerated Reader and Star Reading after hearing of previous success at other schools. Before working at New Barn, I worked at two other primary schools and a large secondary school where Accelerated Reader was very successful.
Accelerated Reader and Star Reading have helped teachers to monitor progress by observing their change of Reading Age as well as looking at how strong they are in the different components of Reading.
“We certainly do value the suggested skills as we need to assess where the weaknesses are in each child”
Our school is developing using the reports from Star Reading. We certainly do value the suggested skills as we need to assess where the weaknesses are in each child. The focus skills help with making targets for this.
Accelerated Reader provides a good focus for DEAR time (Drop Everything And Read) and a great structure to the child’s reading patterns. Using the certificates has also helped children to find a sense of achievement.
I like the fact that children are directed to books that are suitable for them, and I have always felt that the children enjoy and appreciate the quizzes. I would recommend the programme.
It has raised interest and enjoyment in reading, and it has helped teachers to more accurately assess reading.
To find out more about how Accelerated Reader and Star Reading can support your school, click here.
Programme | Accelerated Reader, Star Reading |
---|---|
School Type | Special School |
Talking Points | Assessment, Celebration, Data, Data Review, Independent Reading, Library Use, Motivation, Ofsted, Progress Monitoring, Reading Culture, Reading for Pleasure, SEN, Staff Engagement, Staff Workload, Student Engagement |
Region | South |