At Armthorpe Academy, reading is at the heart of our curriculum. We are committed to developing confident, fluent readers through a carefully planned, whole-school approach that is embedded across Key Stage Three and Key Stage Four.

 

We recognise that reading is fundamental to academic success and wider life opportunities. By ensuring that all students develop accuracy, fluency and strong comprehension skills, we enable them to access the full curriculum, engage with increasingly complex texts and succeed across all subjects. This prepares them effectively for further education, employment and life beyond school.

 

Our reading curriculum is both ambitious and inclusive. It promotes reading for purpose and for pleasure, encouraging students to explore a wide range of high-quality texts. Through this, we foster curiosity, critical thinking and a genuine enjoyment of reading, ensuring that all learners are equipped to thrive in modern society.

 

Key Stage Three: Building Strong Foundations

 

In Key Stage Three, students are given dedicated curriculum time to develop their reading in a structured and supportive environment. This includes opportunities to:

•     Develop and extend their vocabulary

•     Listen to high-quality texts being read aloud

•     Read independently and with guidance

 

Texts are carefully selected to be both engaging and appropriately challenging, enabling all students to make strong progress from their starting points. High expectations are maintained for every learner and students are encouraged to challenge themselves further, with support in place to access more demanding texts where appropriate.

 

Key Stage Four: Reading Across the Curriculum

 

In Key Stage Four, reading is explicitly embedded across all subjects. Teachers plan purposeful opportunities for students to engage with a rich range of disciplinary texts, enabling them to:

•     Develop subject-specific vocabulary

•     Strengthen their ability to read critically and with understanding

•     Build deeper knowledge within each subject area

 

This consistent approach ensures that students continue to develop as confident readers while deepening their academic understanding. It also supports the development of independent learners who are well prepared for the demands of further study and future careers.

 

Targeted Support and Vocabulary Development

 

To ensure that all students can access the curriculum successfully, we provide additional support through the ReadingWise programme. This helps to strengthen vocabulary acquisition and improve reading comprehension and fluency, particularly for those who need further support. Our approach ensures that no student is left behind, while maintaining high levels of ambition for all.

 

Reading, Oracy and Personal Development

 

Reading is also developed through our themed weekly tutor programme, where students take part in sessions focused on both reading and oracy. Using structured approaches such as reciprocal reading, students engage with a wide range of topical and thought-provoking texts.

 

These sessions provide opportunities for students to:

•     Read and respond to high-quality texts

•     Develop confidence in speaking and listening

•     Articulate and justify their ideas clearly

 

This work supports not only literacy, but also students’ personal development, encouraging reflection, respectful discussion and engagement with the wider world.

 

A Culture of Reading

 

Our well-stocked and welcoming library plays a central role in promoting a culture of reading. Open at break and lunchtime, it offers students regular opportunities to read for both study and pleasure.

 

We actively promote reading through enrichment opportunities including:

•     Participation in the Consilium Book Awards

•     The Excelsior Award

•     Access to Audiobooks via Audible

 

Students benefit from access to a wide range of high-quality texts, alongside digital resources that support learning across the curriculum. The library is led by a dedicated, award-winning librarian who supports students in becoming enthusiastic and independent readers.

 

Evidence-Informed Practice

All of our work is underpinned by evidence-informed practice. We draw on research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and work closely with the National Literacy Trust and One Excellence English Hub to ensure that our approach reflects best practice in reading education.