Reading

At Poole High School we are aware that the complex skill of reading underpins a student’s ability to access all areas of the curriculum successfully. Not only that, we know it also expands our worlds and sharpens our minds promoting social, emotional and economic benefits throughout our lives. We aim to build on students’ budding reading skills from primary school and nurture them into full bloom as they grow and thrive in all areas of their lives.

Reading in each subject

Different types of reading skills are necessary for each of the subjects we teach.

We deploy a whole-school approach to reading to ensure that students experience consistent approaches to how they encounter reading at the school. Approaches include teachers frequently reading aloud to their classes, supporting students to read aloud, facilitating independent reading, using strategies to support comprehension, text decoding and pronunciation, and vocabulary instruction. We ensure that staff are regularly trained to ensure that they deliver these strategies effectively.

Reading for pleasure

Whilst reading forms a consistent component of our academic and homework curriculum, we also ensure students have the opportunity to read for pleasure. At Key Stage 3, we have a dedicated day on our homework timetable for students to engage in physical reading to take place. We have a well-stocked library, and provision in our tutor programme for students to experience a range of texts which are stimulating and appropriate for their age. The books we read are carefully chosen to ensure challenge, engagement and exposure to a variety of classic and modern texts.

Support for weaker readers

We run regular reading assessments and interventions for those students in their earlier development of reading, including the use of a phonics programme. Developing readers are targeted with interventions to improve their fluency, automaticity, and understanding. This support is overseen by our dedicated Literacy co-ordinator.