Latest success stories from Renaissance Learning

GCSE Preparation Success Stories

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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.


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Reading ages, pupil wellbeing and exam readiness: setting our pupils up for life

Glenrothes High School, Fife

From improving reading ages, an increased focus on pupils' mental wellbeing, and increased confidence and readiness for exams, Graeme Keir shares the impact that Accelerated Reader has had on his school.


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“We can make a real difference to their learning.”

Glyn School, Ewell

Glyn School a boys' comprehensive secondary school in Ewell, Surrey, have been using Accelerated Reader for just over a year, and implemented the programme in the summer of 2018 to boost literacy levels across Key Stage 3. We spoke to Caroline Woolridge, the school librarian, and Jade Phillips, the KS3 coordinator, about how the programme has influenced both students and teachers at the school.


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How we raised literacy levels in our Year 7 and 8 students

by Nadia Ward and Debbie Kennedy, Wilmington Academy, Dartford

Wilmington Academy is a mixed, non-selective secondary academy and part of the Leigh Academies Trust, with a much higher ratio of boys to girls (65% vs. 35%). Nadia Ward (Assistant Principal & Director of Literacy) and Debbie Kennedy (Academy Librarian) share their story on how they raised literacy levels in their school.


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Engendering a whole-school reading approach within one term

Hayle Academy, Hayle, Cornwall

In their first term of Accelerated Reader implementation, Hayle Academy have revolutionised their reading approach across the curriculum.


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Improving GCSE results by focusing on literacy

Pendle Vale College, Nelson, Lancashire

Pendle Vale College first introduced Accelerated Reader in 2011. In 2016 the first group to use it completed their GCSEs, and achieved the school's strongest ever results! Anita Vine, Librarian, describes the impact implementation has had on reading attitudes and achievement.


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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.