We continually monitor students’ learning progress in order to identify any difficulties and provide support which will allow every student to achieve their best. For many students a barrier to reading greatly impacts their access to learning. Through intervention and Quality First Teaching we encourage students to use strategies specifically to help with their reading.
In addition to school-based interventions, we are keen to talk to parents about the barriers we have identified, and how they can support their child at home.
Previously we have found informal group sessions a beneficial opportunity which leads to shared ideas and experiences. We have found that this home school partnership has a positive impact on learners’ reading ability, learning outcomes and self-esteem.
Our recent Year 7-9 parental workshop was focused on children with an identified reading barrier and covered:
* Understanding reading difficulties and the importance of supporting reading
* The impact weak reading ability can have on students
* Why students may be struggling with reading
* Why more children are experiencing reading difficulties
* Support in school/support at home
* Phonics and sight word reading – what we are noticing and what this means for readers
* How we identify reading barriers
* Looking ahead to GCSE exams
* Looking at Examples of English Language exam papers
* Reading skills summary
* Reading strategies
* Support at home
* Q&A/sharing experiences
Lucy Eagland, SENCO, said: “Although this event was targeted at Year 7-9 parents, we are always open to supporting children and families with their reading development. Reading is a core skill for all learning in school, but also affects every aspect of daily life, and so we make it a high priority in our school.”
