Reading at RBHS
At Rivington and Blackrod High School, we believe that reading widely and developing a rich vocabulary help students succeed across the curriculum, express themselves confidently and prepare for life beyond school.
Our approach to reading has three strands:
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Learning to read: providing additional support to develop reading skills and confidence.
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Reading to learn: supporting students to understand vocabulary and texts across the curriculum.
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Reading for enjoyment: encouraging students to discover books they enjoy and read widely.
Learning to Read
Reading in Key Stage 3
When students join RBHS, we assess their reading to identify anyone who would benefit from additional support. We then provide an intervention matched to their needs.
Students who need support with phonics follow the Fresh Start programme. Those who can decode words but need help understanding what they read receive targeted comprehension support.
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What Our Students Say
Our students have shared how these sessions have helped them develop their skills and confidence:
“It was really fun! I learnt a lot of new sounds. It has been helping me when I am at home doing my homework and in English lessons. When Sir reads out loud I can understand it more.” — NB
“I can pronounce words better and I am better at sounding new words out. The books we read are funny and I enjoy it. Sometimes my brain doesn’t process the word fast enough, but if I get a word wrong, Miss asks me to slow down. It takes me a couple of seconds, but I get it right.” — JW
“We enjoy our reading sessions. We like the way Miss teaches us and we are more confident in lessons now, when faced with reading new information.” — AA, JC and LM
Reading to Learn
Reading is an important part of every subject at RBHS. Staff use a consistent approach to introducing new vocabulary and texts, helping students manage unfamiliar information and understand what they read.
Alongside reading in subject lessons, our provision includes:
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A form time reading programme.
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A Reading for Pleasure lesson through the Ark Mastery Curriculum.
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Academic Reading and Writing Projects as part of Key Stage 3 homework.
Texts are chosen to introduce students to a diverse range of writers, characters and perspectives, broadening their knowledge and understanding of the world.
Our form time programme includes books across a range of genres and contexts, including The Goldfish Boy, The Girl of Ink & Stars, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Lord of the Flies and Never Let Me Go.
Reading for Enjoyment
We want students to find books that interest them and develop a lasting enjoyment of reading.
Our library offers an extensive range of fiction and non-fiction, with new titles promoted on screens around school and through our social media channels.
We also encourage and celebrate reading through:
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Book rewards: students receive tokens for our book vending machines for demonstrating our values: Work Hard, Take Part and Do the Right Thing. Each week, one subject nominates a student from each year group to receive a token.
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Sixth Form reading: students have access to weekly copies of The Guardian, alongside non-fiction texts linked to their subjects.
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Reading events: we celebrate occasions such as World Book Day, National Read a Book Day and Roald Dahl Day.
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Staff reading: our staff book club meets termly in the library, sharing recommendations and a love of books.
Celebrating Reading at RBHS
Here are some examples of how we have celebrated reading across our school community.
Books as rewards
Our book vending machines help us celebrate students who demonstrate our school values.
Sharing a love of reading
Our staff book club meets termly in the library.
Festive reading activities
Our reading advent calendar and secret-elf competition created a festive buzz around books.
An inspiring author visit
Horror author Cynthia Murphy joined us for a spooky Halloween visit.
