Sparx Reader – A Book in Every Student’s Hands

Sparx Reader is an online resource where students read digital books and complete regular comprehension checks to ensure accuracy and understanding. It's a key part of our 10:10:10 homework strategy. 

Each half-term we reintroduce students to Sparx Reader. Research consistently shows that students with higher reading ages tend to perform better at GCSE and beyond.

Students are expected to collect 300 Sparx Reader Points each week (equivalent to around thirty minutes of careful reading) to be eligible for our Co-op Heroes Rewards Events such as the upcoming Alton Towers trip. We believe that academic aspiration is just as important as punctuality and behaviour.

Students can also complete Sparx Reader in the library at break and lunch, as well as at home. 

Reading at Home with Your Child

You can also support your child's comprehension and engagement by discussing their Sparx Reader books with them.

A simple and effective way to do this is by using the PEER model:

P – Prompt your child to talk about the book (e.g., “What was your favourite part?”)
E – Evaluate their response by showing interest and acknowledging their thoughts
E – Expand on their response by adding details or rephrasing what they said
R – Repeat the prompt to reinforce their understanding and encourage deeper thinking

This method makes reading more interactive and helps your child develop stronger comprehension skills.

Interventions

Our intervention programmes are designed to address specific needs: from daily phonics instruction to targeted reading skills. Eligible students receive 1.5 hours per week to improve general comprehension and fluency.

If our assessments indicate that your child would benefit from extra reading support, they will receive tailored interventions. These interventions are flexible, ensuring that, as their skills improve, they transition back into regular lessons.

Reading Assemblies

Recently we held assemblies on the theme of reading.

Research shows that strong reading skills open doors to a wide range of careers and opportunities. Many of the most rewarding and impactful professions require the ability to interpret research, analyse data, understand complex information, and communicate effectively. Developing reading confidence now not only supports academic achievement but also lays the foundation for future career success and financial independence.

We encourage you to talk with your child about what they’re reading, explore different genres together, and help them see reading as a skill that empowers them for life.

GREAT Lessons

Across all curriculum subjects, our staff use 'Reading for Meaning' strategies to support students whenever reading takes place. Teachers model expert reading techniques and apply a range of strategies to help students engage with and understand texts more effectively.

Students are guided to Predict, Clarify, Question, and Summarise key parts of a text—skills that improve comprehension, expand vocabulary, and deepen subject knowledge. By actively thinking about what they read, students become more confident in interpreting complex information across all areas of learning.

World Book Day

Students listened to Aesop’s Fables in five-minute installments throughout the school day. 

Aesop’s Fables is a collection of short stories, often featuring animals with human traits, which teach moral lessons. We still read them today because their timeless wisdom about human nature, ethics, and decision-making remains relevant across cultures and generations.